Linlithgow Civic Trust and West Lothian History and Amenity Society
JOINT RESPONSE TO PLANNING CONSULTATION
Construction of 220 metre long access road to proposed Care Home
Bonnytoun House, Blackness Road, Linlithgow. (Access via Bonsyde Road)
Planning Application Number - 1295/FUL/06 Ross Burton
Applicant Linlithgow Care Facility Ltd
Observations
As you will be aware, the Linlithgow Civic Trust has already expressed its
dismay at outline planning application having been granted for the care home
facility, contrary to an officers' firm recommendation for refusal. As
previously stated, the care home is proposed for a site well detached from the
built-up area of Linlithgow, in the north-west corner of an area of high-quality
'parkland' character (ie grazing land dotted with mature trees). The Council's
decision ignored the importance of preserving the open, undeveloped landscape
setting of Linlithgow Loch, the need for which was recognised by the site's
inclusion within both the Airngath Hill Area of Great Landscape Value and the
Linlithgow Palace and High Street Conservation Area.
In our original response, we mentioned the availability of other, less
sensitive sites on the town outskirts, and these have since been identified in
the Civic Trust's 'Vision for Linlithgow' document, now being considered by the
Reporters at the West Lothian Local Plan Inquiry. The 'Vision' document makes it
absolutely clear that the Trust wishes the grounds of Bonnytoun House to be kept
free of development in order to preserve the landscape setting of Linlithgow
Loch.
The concerns of Linlithgow Civic Trust and WLHAS that a precedent might be
set by a care home permission have been confirmed by the fact that Cala Homes
also now seek to build in the grounds of Bonnytoun House.
We are are puzzled by the fact that full permission is being sought for the
access road but not for the care home - we consider that such a permission would
be premature pending favourable consideration of the design and layout of the
care home itself, should this ever be possible. It would also be premature
pending the outcome of the West Lothian Local Plan Inquiry at which both the
Civic Trust's 'Vision' document and the Cala Homes proposal are being
considered.
In essence, the Civic Trust and WLHAS are opposed to the access road because
we are opposed to the Care Home proposal.
Conclusions
For the reasons given above, the Civic Trust and the WLHAS wish to object to
this proposal, and would urge the Council to refuse the application on grounds
of prematurity.
Ronald P A Smith BSc MRTPI
Planning Spokesman, Linlithgow Civic Trust
4 Rivaldsgreen Crescent, Linlithgow, EH49 6BB.
Tel: 01506 670758; Email - planning@lct.org.uk
8 January 2007
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