Scottish Borders Council

Agenda item

Consider request for review of refusal of application for erection of dwellinghouse with attached garage at Disused Sawmill Cowdenknowes Earlston. 19/01611/FUL. 20/00007/RREF.

Copies of the following papers attached:-

Minutes:

CHAIRMAN

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed Members of the Local Review Body and members of the public to the Scottish Borders Council’s open on-line meeting.  The meeting was being held remotely in order to adhere to guidance on public meetings and social distancing currently in place, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

There had been circulated copies of the request from Mr Francis Peto, per Aitken Turnbull Architects Ltd, 9 Bridge Place, Galashiels, to review the decision to refuse the planning application for erection of dwellinghouse with attached garage at disused sawmill, Cowdenknowes, Earlston. The supporting papers included the Notice of Review (including the Decision Notice, Officer’s Report and consultations); papers referred to in the Officer’s Report; and a list of policies. In their initial discussion Members agreed that there was a building group present which related to Cowdenknowes House and noted that this was a dispersed group of residential units separated by areas of mature woodland and private driveways.  Although there was capacity for expansion of the building group Members noted that the former sawmill and site of the proposed development was located on the periphery of the building group and outwith a belt of mature trees which could be considered a defensible boundary to the group.  Whilst noting the probable historical link and significance of the former sawmill to the estate, Members’ consideration focussed on whether the proposed site for a dwellinghouse reflected the sense of place and character of the group.  In this respect Members attached importance to the proposed design of the house which they felt may undermine and fail to reflect the traditional character and amenity of the group.  Opinion was divided and concern was expressed that insufficient information had been presented about the character of the existing buildings within the building group, to enable a decision to be made as to whether the proposed new development was an appropriate addition to the group which was sympathetic to its character and sense of place.

 

VOTE:

 

Councillor Mountford, seconded by Councillor Richards, moved that a decision on the application be made without further procedure.

 

Councillor Ramage, seconded by Councillor Laing, moved as an amendment that the review could not be considered without further procedure and that additional visual information be requested.

 

 Members voted as follows:-

 

Motion             - 4 votes

Amendment     - 4 votes

 

The Chairman used his casting vote in favour of the amendment so consideration of the review was accordingly continued for further procedure.

 

DECISION

DECIDED that:-

 

(a)        the request for a review had been competently made in terms of Section 43A of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997;

 

(b)       the review could not be considered without further procedure in the form of additional visual information;

 

(c)      the applicant be requested to provide further information in the form of photographs, of the existing buildings within the building group at Cowdenknowes, to provide evidence of how the design of the proposed dwellinghouse relates to the character and sense of place of its surroundings; and

 

(d)       consideration of the review be continued on a date to be arranged.

 

Supporting documents:

 

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