Linlithgow Civic Trust and West Lothian History and Amenity Society
JOINT RESPONSE TO PLANNING CONSULTATION
Conservation Area Consent for the partial demolition of the rear section of
Victoria Hall, High Street, Linlithgow.
Planning Application Number - 0359/LBC/08 Ranald Dods
Applicant EK:JN Architects
Observations
This application is not unexpected, given the poor structural condition of
the building which has been neglected for many years. Its unlisted status
probably reflects the fact that the Victoria Hall was very unsympathetically
altered in 1956 when it had its pinnacles and turrets removed. Previous to that
date, it had dramatic architectural quality, albeit considerably out-of-scale
with the street. Therefore, a case could be made for either restoring the (front
of the) building to its former grandeur OR replacing it with something more in
keeping with its surroundings.
The present application does not address this issue but merely proposes
partial demolition of the back part of the building. As this part of the
structure has nil architectural value, there can be no objection to this in
principle.
However, normally for such a scheme in an outstanding conservation area, one
would expect some idea of the proposed replacement building, of the proposed
alterations to what will remain, and of the proposed use(s) of the property.
Without such information (other than removal of finials for safe-keeping), it
would be inadvisable to grant permission.
Conclusions Whilst not opposed to demolition or part-demolition of the
building in principle, the Civic Trust and the WLHAS would like the Council to
request further details as outlined above before considering the grant of
permission.
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
20 April 2008
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