Lodge demolition plans approved

Aug 22 2008 by Kaiya Marjoribanks

CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish a Strathblane lodge and build a new house nearby have been approved, despite vigorous objection from the local community council.

Stirling Council’s planning panel voted by a majority to give the go-ahead for the application by Michael O’Neill.

Mr O’Neill wants to demolish the existing “substandard” Ardunan Lodge in Milngavie Road and build a replacement south east of the site within the grounds of Strathblane Country Club, as well as creating a new vehicle access.

The application was referred to the panel on the request of ward member Councillor Graham Lambie, given “very strong objections” from Strathblane Community Council.

He said the site was within existing greenbelt and did not appear to be farming related, and there were concerns the existing lodge was of sound quality and only substandard in terms of traditional build style.

However, the panel rejected a request by the community council to be heard before a decision was made.

Panel chairman Councillor Alasdair Macpherson also criticised the community council for using language such as “smokescreen” and “bogus” in its objection submission.

He said: “While we welcome the views of community councils and value their opinions, they are bound by a code of conduct and need to watch the tone of their objections in future.”

Councillor Macpherson was among five councillors who backed the planners’ recommendation to approve the application, with the remaining three members voting to ask for the scale and design to be reconsidered.

The planners said: “The main issues relating to consideration of the application are whether the existing lodge house is substandard and/or makes a limited contribution to the quality of the built or natural environment, furthermore whether the replacement house will be of high quality design and reflects the scale, height and massing and plot ratio of the existing development.

“It is considered the existing lodge house on the site is of architectural merit and contributes to the natural environment. It is not, however, deemed to be worthy of listing.

“A structural and quality report has been submitted by the applicant, demonstrating the dwelling is of substandard quality and it shows the extent of works and the costs the applicant has incurred to upgrade the lodge.

“These upgrading and repair works have not succeeded in solving the problems with the lodge, which are mainly caused by water, as a stream runs underneath and adjacent to the property.

“The applicant has spent a considerable amount of money renovating the property and trying to engineer out the problems.

“It is considered the proposed dwelling to replace the existing lodge house is of a high quality design and proposes the use of traditional quality materials such as reconstituted stone, slate and timber to construct a low rise, single storey with roof accommodation dwelling.”