Linlithgow Civic Trust and West Lothian History and Amenity Society
JOINT RESPONSE TO PLANNING CONSULTATION
Proposal: Redevelopment of site of Victoria Hall, 88-92 High Street,
Linlithgow - erection of 1993 sq metre commercial/retail/leisure development.
Planning Application Number - 1084/FUL/08 Chris Norman
Applicant Gioco Leisure Ltd (EK:JN Architects)
Observations
Proposals for the redevelopment of this site are welcomed, as are the re-use
of the entrance archway and the fairly good attempt at reflecting the
traditional built form of Linlithgow High Street.
However, there are a number of aspects which give concern:
- the high zinc-clad mansard roofs which would project above the adjacent
pitched rooflines and which would constitute an over-prominent and
out-of-character intrusion to views along the High Street (mansards
elsewhere in the street are well-disguised behind natural-slate pitches);
- the large windows on the first floor which seem at variance with the rest
of the glazing pattern on the proposed front elevation and, being larger
than even the nearby shop windows, would form a discordant feature breaking
the pattern of fenestration along the north side of the High Street;
- the wind-scoop ventilators, whilst being an interesting idea, look far too
large and crude as compared with the traditional chimney stacks on adjacent
buildings; and
- the proposal is a lost opportunity to provide a pedestrian link from the
High Street to the Peel, which could be lined by small specialist shops -
this could be the 'Victoria Walk', otherwise the proposed use of the name
'Walk' seems inappropriate.
We would suggest that the proposal be revised to:
- move back the bulk of the building at roof height to allow for the
substitution of slate roofs of traditional pitch;
- replace the large first-floor windows with fenestration of a more
appropriate size;
- reduce the size of the wind-scoop ventilators so that their scale is more
in keeping with traditional chimney stacks; and
- incorporate a pedestrian link through to the Peel as above.
Conclusions
Whilst welcoming the principle of the proposals, the Civic Trust and the
WLHAS wish the Council not to approve the application in its current form,
but to pursue the amendments outlined above. If the Council is minded to approve
the application as it stands, then this representation should be regarded as an objection
on the grounds stated above.
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
6 December 2008
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