Linlithgow Civic Trust and West Lothian History and Amenity Society
JOINT RESPONSE TO PLANNING CONSULTATION
Listed building consent for extension to house at Boghall Lodge, Blackness
Road, Linlithgow.
Planning Application Number - 1119/LBC/07 Esme Clelland
Applicant Manor Forrest
Observations
It is noted that this is a mid 19th century 3-bay lodge house with a
classical porch, listed category 'B'. However, it is unclear whether it
ever had the function of a traditional lodge house, as no drive, road or track
runs south to Boghall.
The existing house is impractically small, and the desirability of an
extension is recognised. Extending the building round a small courtyard is
also a good idea. To some extent, the design and materials of the proposed
extension, particularly as viewed from Blackness Road, appear to be sympathetic
to the original building except that symmetry is lost by the lack of a chimney
stack on the extension side (where it could have had a function for the new
living room). Perhaps more disappointing is the use of cedar cladding for the
connecting link - full glazing of this elevation would give a better-quality
appearance, lighten the connection between the pitched roof buildings on either
side, and give the link corridor a more dramatic character from inside. Finally,
the amount of cedar cladding to the south and west elevations, and the
uninteresting glazing patterns are perhaps inappropriate for a category 'B'
listed building facing a public road (Grange Knowe). One suggestion is that the
part of the west elevation under the pitched roof could be glazed and finished
in a more traditional manner, with the non-traditional cladding/windows confined
to the flat roofed part.
There is considered to be good potential to provide a very attractive
extended house on this site, but improvements to the proposals could be made on
the lines suggested above.
Conclusions
Linlithgow Civic Trust/WLHAS have no objections to the principle of an
extension on the general lines proposed, but would like to see the plans refined
to better reflect the character of the existing listed building.
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
3 December 2007
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