Linlithgow Civic Trust and West Lothian History and Amenity Society
JOINT RESPONSE TO PLANNING CONSULTATION
Proposal: Approval of reserved matters for the erection of a 69 bed
care home facility for the elderly at Blackness Road, Linlithgow (rear of
Bonnytoun House).
Planning Application Number - 0579/ARM/07 Ross Burton
Applicant A J Builders/Ross Woods Architects
Observations
As previously stated on several occasions, the Linlithgow Civic Trust/WLHAS
have already expressed their dismay at outline planning permission having been
granted for a care home on the site, contrary to an officers' firm
recommendation for refusal. The proposed building 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. The
proposed building would, particularly in winter and spring when the leaves are
off the trees, be clearly seen from Linlithgow Palace and the Peel as a
significant intrusion into a countryside setting that had been preserved from
development ever since statutory planning controls were made the responsibility
of local authorities.
In our original response, we mentioned the availability of other, less
sensitive sites on the town outskirts, and these were identified in the Civic
Trust's 'Vision for Linlithgow' document. The 'Vision' document makes it
absolutely clear that the Trust wishes the grounds of Bonnytoun House and
adjacent land to be kept free of development in order to preserve the landscape
setting of Linlithgow Loch.
Having said all that, the reduction from 90 bedspaces to 69 was a small step
in the right direction, reducing the impact of the proposed building on the
landscape to some extent. Additionally, the revised 'period' architectural
solution was/is considerably more measured and more sensitive and, on
practically any other suitable site, would have been very acceptable,
particularly now in view of the removal of the difference in levels within the
building and the consequent apparent lowering of the eastern end.
However, we reiterate our view that the Council should negotiate with the
applicants/landowners to have the present outline planning permission revoked
with a view to relocation of the care home to the eastern boundary of the
Bonnytoun House site, adjacent to Bonsyde Road, where the impact of such
development on the setting of Linlithgow Loch would be much less damaging. In
fact, it might be better to have 90 bedspaces at that location than the 69 now
being proposed on the present, unsuitable site.
Conclusions
Linlithgow Civic Trust/WLHAS wish to:-
- maintain their objections to the whole principle of the development on the
application site; and
- urge West Lothian Council to negotiate the revocation of the existing
outline planning permission in favour of an alternative, less damaging site
to the east.
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
16 September 2008
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