Musings from the Merse
Friday, October 27, 2006
BARBARIANS AT THE GATE
A lot of people in this community put a lot of effort into ensuring that the Borders Local Plan, shaping our development for the next 8 years or so, is appropriate for our locality. We seem to have been successful in that we are spared new development in green field sites and will now have time to absorb such monstrosities as the 'Orchard' a nice name for a big mess. Yet we seem already to be under siege: a glance at the Public Notices in each Berwickshire will demonstrate the high proportion of applications which are in the liquid tones of planningspeak 'Potential Departure from Berwickshire Local Plan'. 4 in this week's paper alone. The latest applications are some distance from the ruralopolis of Hutton and Paxton but on going and potential barbarians are already within our gates, never mind at them. A stroll down the Fishwick Motorway (but beware of heavy traffic) towards the Tweed will show houses under construction more suited to Sunningdale than rural Berwickshire. And if the other nearby site is approved goodness knows what kind of erection will be constructed dominating the nearby and attractive traditional style farm cottages. The planning regulations emphasise the importance of a 'sense of place'-new buildings fitting into their natural surroundings. Sunningdale on the Tweed is hardly meets that criterion. And a very good example of how such development can be grossly inappropriate you need to go no further than Cardrona near Peebles. The Orchard at Paxton is an example of insensitive over development and if it was chickens rather than people being housed there the ALF might feel obliged to intervene. Its thus all the more important to keep the concrete mixers off Knowes Close.
The Guardians of the local plan are the members of the Berwickshire Area Committee.They have the authority to approve 'small' projects-up to about 10 houses, without reference to higher authority. So far they seem to have been quite tough (with the odd blatant abberation) on applications which clash with the provisions of the Local Plan. But for how long? The odd blatant abberation, and no prizes for guessing those around here, rather blunts our confidence in their ability (and willingness) at keeping the barbarians at bay. And every abberation adds to a body of precedent which becomes increasingly difficult to ignore
Eyes skinned for Trojan Horses. And keep those gates locked.
A lot of people in this community put a lot of effort into ensuring that the Borders Local Plan, shaping our development for the next 8 years or so, is appropriate for our locality. We seem to have been successful in that we are spared new development in green field sites and will now have time to absorb such monstrosities as the 'Orchard' a nice name for a big mess. Yet we seem already to be under siege: a glance at the Public Notices in each Berwickshire will demonstrate the high proportion of applications which are in the liquid tones of planningspeak 'Potential Departure from Berwickshire Local Plan'. 4 in this week's paper alone. The latest applications are some distance from the ruralopolis of Hutton and Paxton but on going and potential barbarians are already within our gates, never mind at them. A stroll down the Fishwick Motorway (but beware of heavy traffic) towards the Tweed will show houses under construction more suited to Sunningdale than rural Berwickshire. And if the other nearby site is approved goodness knows what kind of erection will be constructed dominating the nearby and attractive traditional style farm cottages. The planning regulations emphasise the importance of a 'sense of place'-new buildings fitting into their natural surroundings. Sunningdale on the Tweed is hardly meets that criterion. And a very good example of how such development can be grossly inappropriate you need to go no further than Cardrona near Peebles. The Orchard at Paxton is an example of insensitive over development and if it was chickens rather than people being housed there the ALF might feel obliged to intervene. Its thus all the more important to keep the concrete mixers off Knowes Close.
The Guardians of the local plan are the members of the Berwickshire Area Committee.They have the authority to approve 'small' projects-up to about 10 houses, without reference to higher authority. So far they seem to have been quite tough (with the odd blatant abberation) on applications which clash with the provisions of the Local Plan. But for how long? The odd blatant abberation, and no prizes for guessing those around here, rather blunts our confidence in their ability (and willingness) at keeping the barbarians at bay. And every abberation adds to a body of precedent which becomes increasingly difficult to ignore
Eyes skinned for Trojan Horses. And keep those gates locked.
Comments:
Some barbarians are closer than others-within the gates already. Ask any New Labour MSP
# posted by 
: 4:56 PM
: 4:56 PM
Another inappropriate development in my view is that at Sunilaws Village (aka Roxburghe Park) at Heiton - viewed from the other side of the Teviot they look like a collection of well polished tanners up a sweep's fundamental orifice.
Paper Boy: I think you are being kind!And of course we take the charitable view-some poor strapped landowner needs the cash.
Then of course there is Edington Mill. Rammed through against the wishes of local people and now a monstrous blot on the landscape. Where are you Prince Charles when we need you?
# posted by : 10:18 AM
: 10:18 AM
The increase in planning applications and approvals in the Borders outside the Local Plan is very worrying. Many landowners and developers are deliberately evading the scrutiny and consultation with the local community provided by the Local Plan process.
One really encouraging factor is the greatly increased awareness within our own local community of Hutton and Paxton of the hypocrisy of some landowners hiding behind claims of providing “affordable housing” and “meeting local needs” to justify inappropriate development.
Beware the trojan horse of a small development of cheap houses on a large site leading to Orchard density building on the rest of the site. Ring any bells with Knowes Close field?
Most people recognise the conflict of interest that arises when landowners are also MSPs or Local Councillors. Honourable landowners or developers would avoid this by not seeking office. Dishonourable people take office and then abuse their position by exerting pressure and influence in pursuit of their own interests.
So we have an MSP who makes statements in Parliament promoting his interests as a landowner and we have a Planning Committee of Scottish Borders Council which sometimes seems more like a branch of the NFU than our elected representatives. (I know what the FU is but what does the N stand for?)
Local people see and understand what is going on and, in Hutton and Paxton’s case, with the support of responsible planning officials have successfully fought off a predatory landowner’s development plans. I hope these efforts to stop the ruin of rural communities by inappropriate and unwanted development will continue.
Pity I have to be anonymous, but there are some pretty nasty people out there!
One really encouraging factor is the greatly increased awareness within our own local community of Hutton and Paxton of the hypocrisy of some landowners hiding behind claims of providing “affordable housing” and “meeting local needs” to justify inappropriate development.
Beware the trojan horse of a small development of cheap houses on a large site leading to Orchard density building on the rest of the site. Ring any bells with Knowes Close field?
Most people recognise the conflict of interest that arises when landowners are also MSPs or Local Councillors. Honourable landowners or developers would avoid this by not seeking office. Dishonourable people take office and then abuse their position by exerting pressure and influence in pursuit of their own interests.
So we have an MSP who makes statements in Parliament promoting his interests as a landowner and we have a Planning Committee of Scottish Borders Council which sometimes seems more like a branch of the NFU than our elected representatives. (I know what the FU is but what does the N stand for?)
Local people see and understand what is going on and, in Hutton and Paxton’s case, with the support of responsible planning officials have successfully fought off a predatory landowner’s development plans. I hope these efforts to stop the ruin of rural communities by inappropriate and unwanted development will continue.
Pity I have to be anonymous, but there are some pretty nasty people out there!
# posted by : 6:55 PM
: 6:55 PM
One of the landowners seems to be having problem with his reclaimable expenses as a land lord in Edunburgh and as a MSP.See recent (yesterday) story in the Sunday Herald
# posted by : 10:54 AM
: 10:54 AM
And now its reached the correspondence columns.: http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/73294.html
Post a Comment
# posted by : 10:13 PM
: 10:13 PM