Published: Friday, 16th March, 2007 10:31
Power of the people
By David Knox
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CAMPAIGNERS claim this week’s refusal to allow development on the historic Glenormiston Estate is a moral victory for the community.
An application to erect four houses around the estate’s farm steading was knocked back at a planning meeting on Monday.
The controversial outline bid had attracted around 100 objections from concerned neighbours in and around Innerleithen.
But the revised papers, which saw a reduction from six to four houses, received backing from planning officials – with more than a dozen conditions attached.
Ross McGinn, chairman of Innerleithen Community Council, believes the 5-3 vote against building on the historic estate marks a move towards listening to local communities. He told us: “The committee has obviously listened to what local people have to say. It is time communities had their say on matters like this – nobody I know wants development on that beautiful estate.”
An original application for six properties was withdrawn by Glenormiston Estates Ltd last month.
And the two properties proposed for the Velvethall edge of the estate were omitted from the fresh bid.
But fears that any permission could lead to further bids swayed the majority of members sitting on the planning committee.
Development chiefs couldn’t give guarantees that no new planning applications would be made for other parts of the estate.
Local councillor Patricia Purves spoke out against the plans. She told the Peeblesshire News: “There are worries that any restrictions imposed on future developments by Glenormiston Estates would not cover other sections of the estate owned separately by the individual partners. We do not know for sure if this is the case, but the planning officials couldn’t give guarantees. Any section 75 agreement to prevent future housing would only apply to Glenormiston Estates Ltd, not Mr Warner or Mr Brash on their own.
“The buildings already on Glenormiston Estate are part of a complete group – a point which my colleague Jock Houston took up – and there was no need to build another four houses onto that group.”
The 720-acre Glenormiston Estate was bought by businessmen Murray Warner and Stanley Brash last year for an undisclosed sum.
They gained full planning consent last month to develop a former farm steading building into eight properties last month.
And had hoped to erect a further four detached properties as part of their business plan.
Neither would comment this week about the claims that the estate had been broken up for planning purposes.
Mr Warner said: “We are delighted that we have been allowed to develop the steading building, but we are disappointed with the decision made this week.
“We are currently considering our options about an appeal.”
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