Musings from the Merse
Thursday, December 17, 2009
And again. Bad luck Mr Robinson but yuo really did not need an extra house at Hutton C M.
Christmas in Snowy Duns. And snowy is the mot juste. And with central heating on the blink no joke I can assure you.
Just ourselves-Bah Humbug and thast is quite enough.
Christmas in Snowy Duns. And snowy is the mot juste. And with central heating on the blink no joke I can assure you.
Just ourselves-Bah Humbug and thast is quite enough.
Labels: . Small house in Duns, Hutton Castle Mill
Yes Huttonian has been elusive of late. But here he is. Nothing much to say apart from a Happy Xmas to all bloggees. May all your planning applications sink without trace especialy around Hutton Mill. And woe to all fatuous commnts in Chinese.
Labels: Chinese, Hutton Castle Mill
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Less Trouble at t'Mill ?
Its encouraging to see that absolutely nothing has happened on the planning application for a new house at Hutton Castle Mill? This you can see from here
http://eplanning1.scotborders.gov.uk/WAM/showCaseFile.do?appType=planning&appNumber=09/00801/OUT
It is very unusual for even a controversial application to have no further correspondence for a couple of months and has not yet been taken by the Planning Committee. One hopes that pressure is being put on the applicant to withdraw it as he did an almost identical one over a year ago.
There's no perceived need and the arguments put forward (see previous posts) are hardly persuasive-here and scroll down
Its encouraging to see that absolutely nothing has happened on the planning application for a new house at Hutton Castle Mill? This you can see from here
http://eplanning1.scotborders.gov.uk/WAM/showCaseFile.do?appType=planning&appNumber=09/00801/OUT
It is very unusual for even a controversial application to have no further correspondence for a couple of months and has not yet been taken by the Planning Committee. One hopes that pressure is being put on the applicant to withdraw it as he did an almost identical one over a year ago.
There's no perceived need and the arguments put forward (see previous posts) are hardly persuasive-here and scroll down
Labels: Berwickshire Planning, Hutton Castle Mill
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Happen Nothing at t'mill
Nothing very much seems to be happening over the long posted application for a new house at Hutton Mill. It may be the dead hand of the summer hols as senior planning officials take tbeir long breaks in Iceland (to be near the pile of missing taxpayers cash in the Icelandic Banks)or it may be that the applicant has not got the message-better withdraw the paperwork and avoid an embarrassing rejection. One more objection has been received see here.
Go on Albert do the decent thing. I know its a bore to have to commute nearly 21/2 miles to see your pheasant chicks but you really don't need an extra house for an extra bloke to micro manage the enterprise in duplicate.
A pity about your grandson perhaps but commuting from Aberdeen to the banks of the Whiteadder is an even longer trek than the hard slog to Paxton
Nothing very much seems to be happening over the long posted application for a new house at Hutton Mill. It may be the dead hand of the summer hols as senior planning officials take tbeir long breaks in Iceland (to be near the pile of missing taxpayers cash in the Icelandic Banks)or it may be that the applicant has not got the message-better withdraw the paperwork and avoid an embarrassing rejection. One more objection has been received see here.
Go on Albert do the decent thing. I know its a bore to have to commute nearly 21/2 miles to see your pheasant chicks but you really don't need an extra house for an extra bloke to micro manage the enterprise in duplicate.
A pity about your grandson perhaps but commuting from Aberdeen to the banks of the Whiteadder is an even longer trek than the hard slog to Paxton
Labels: Albert R, Commuting from Paxton, Hutton Castle Mill, Inappropriate Development
Thursday, July 23, 2009
HUTTON CASTLE MILL :SCRAPE OUT THE BARREL
I think Mr Albert R must be getting a bit rattled at the reaction to his application to build a second home for his manager/gillie/clerk of works/stalker/refuse collector next to his first house at Hutton Castle Mill as he has burst into print again-see
here This time it appears that Mr Gillie is to remain where he is and to be bumped by Mr R's grandson studying Environmental and Countryside Management at Aberdeen who now needs a permanent home on the banks of the Whiteadder so as he can study the countryside at close quarters and keep a watchful eye on the Peregrine falcons via a web camera broadcasting to the known world. In addition he has to be in site 24/7 (apart of course from attending his studies up North)to manage the lade course (water channel leading up to the old mill wheel which was supposed to be restored under a previous planning application but hasn't)now to be converted into a 'water based wild life sanctuary' and also the management of ten badger sets who are apparently quite incapable of looking after themselves. On top of this daunting work load someone has to empty the wheelie bins and take other recyclables into Berwick; not to mention find time for a drink at the Cross. Although it is not clear whether it is the 20 year old grand son or the gillie already on site who has to do this.
In support of his application the tireless Mr R has produced an ancient image of the old Hutton Castle Mill complex to demonstrate that the new buildings are to be on the site of an existing building block; admittedly one which was mostly destroyed by the big flood of 1948 and the badly damaged buildings (apart from the mill) subsequently bulldozed into the Whiteadder. The fact that it has been a countryside agricultural area ever since is rather glossed over. And the thought that perhaps, only perhaps, there might be another flood (it is a flood plain after all) seems not to have occurred.
If this unrecycled garbage (npi) gets through the Planners I am a Dutchman.
But with bitter experience of the inanities of the Berwickshire Area Committee
I am learning Dutch
I think Mr Albert R must be getting a bit rattled at the reaction to his application to build a second home for his manager/gillie/clerk of works/stalker/refuse collector next to his first house at Hutton Castle Mill as he has burst into print again-see
here This time it appears that Mr Gillie is to remain where he is and to be bumped by Mr R's grandson studying Environmental and Countryside Management at Aberdeen who now needs a permanent home on the banks of the Whiteadder so as he can study the countryside at close quarters and keep a watchful eye on the Peregrine falcons via a web camera broadcasting to the known world. In addition he has to be in site 24/7 (apart of course from attending his studies up North)to manage the lade course (water channel leading up to the old mill wheel which was supposed to be restored under a previous planning application but hasn't)now to be converted into a 'water based wild life sanctuary' and also the management of ten badger sets who are apparently quite incapable of looking after themselves. On top of this daunting work load someone has to empty the wheelie bins and take other recyclables into Berwick; not to mention find time for a drink at the Cross. Although it is not clear whether it is the 20 year old grand son or the gillie already on site who has to do this.
In support of his application the tireless Mr R has produced an ancient image of the old Hutton Castle Mill complex to demonstrate that the new buildings are to be on the site of an existing building block; admittedly one which was mostly destroyed by the big flood of 1948 and the badly damaged buildings (apart from the mill) subsequently bulldozed into the Whiteadder. The fact that it has been a countryside agricultural area ever since is rather glossed over. And the thought that perhaps, only perhaps, there might be another flood (it is a flood plain after all) seems not to have occurred.
If this unrecycled garbage (npi) gets through the Planners I am a Dutchman.
But with bitter experience of the inanities of the Berwickshire Area Committee
I am learning Dutch
Labels: Hutton Castle Mill, Inappropriate Development, Mr R
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Cometh the Flood; Buildeth the Ark
It appears that the proposed building over the area next to Hutton Castle Mill-the second home for the resident gillie-is running into further bother with a letter of objection from the Scottish Environmental Agency (SEPA) as you can read here
This is all about the flood risk and the great flood of 1948 which carried away some of the buildings around the mill and swept away a couple of bridges down stream. However the Head of Technical Services writing about the flood problems offers some comfort:
In terms of information that this Council has concerning flood risk to this site, I would state that The Indicative River & Coastal Flood Map (Scotland) known as the “second generation flood mapping” prepared by SEPA indicates that the northern part of the site is at risk from a flood event with a return period of 1 in 200 years. That is the 0.5% annual risk of a flood occurring in any year.
Thus with the great flood of 48 and several less severe inundations since, go on,one might say, take a risk, it won't happen for another 200 years- and assuming that the Gillie is an experienced betting man he could well go for it. But if he is a very experienced betting man he just might pause for thought-next year is inside the '200 year flood risk envelope' as the SEPA guy puts out so why put both your homes at risk?
SEPA does not have much clout I fear. The existing house was given planning permission despite an identical risk assessment as was the project to convert the mill into self catering accommodating.
On present form it is sad to say that with both SEPA and the Community Council against the application it has a reasonable (ie completely unreasonable) chance of success. Much will depend on which way Big Jim will jump.
Just a thought. If Mr Noah, formerly of Ararat, now of Belmarsh was to make a formal application to build an Ark down there how would he fare? Anticipation of a Flood would chime well with SEPA advice but I am not sure that the new Local Plan has provision for mobile buildings of this sort (unless containing chickens as at Hutton Castle Barns-and only two in the case of the Ark) Sites of Special Religious Interest (SSRI)are not recognised by SBC Planners.
Come on Planners think outside the box (or Ark) for a change A Gillie's Ark, able to float out of trouble by 2209 if necessary is an idea worth pursuing should the current application fail.
What do you think Albert R?
Worth a shot?
It appears that the proposed building over the area next to Hutton Castle Mill-the second home for the resident gillie-is running into further bother with a letter of objection from the Scottish Environmental Agency (SEPA) as you can read here
This is all about the flood risk and the great flood of 1948 which carried away some of the buildings around the mill and swept away a couple of bridges down stream. However the Head of Technical Services writing about the flood problems offers some comfort:
In terms of information that this Council has concerning flood risk to this site, I would state that The Indicative River & Coastal Flood Map (Scotland) known as the “second generation flood mapping” prepared by SEPA indicates that the northern part of the site is at risk from a flood event with a return period of 1 in 200 years. That is the 0.5% annual risk of a flood occurring in any year.
Thus with the great flood of 48 and several less severe inundations since, go on,one might say, take a risk, it won't happen for another 200 years- and assuming that the Gillie is an experienced betting man he could well go for it. But if he is a very experienced betting man he just might pause for thought-next year is inside the '200 year flood risk envelope' as the SEPA guy puts out so why put both your homes at risk?
SEPA does not have much clout I fear. The existing house was given planning permission despite an identical risk assessment as was the project to convert the mill into self catering accommodating.
On present form it is sad to say that with both SEPA and the Community Council against the application it has a reasonable (ie completely unreasonable) chance of success. Much will depend on which way Big Jim will jump.
Just a thought. If Mr Noah, formerly of Ararat, now of Belmarsh was to make a formal application to build an Ark down there how would he fare? Anticipation of a Flood would chime well with SEPA advice but I am not sure that the new Local Plan has provision for mobile buildings of this sort (unless containing chickens as at Hutton Castle Barns-and only two in the case of the Ark) Sites of Special Religious Interest (SSRI)are not recognised by SBC Planners.
Come on Planners think outside the box (or Ark) for a change A Gillie's Ark, able to float out of trouble by 2209 if necessary is an idea worth pursuing should the current application fail.
What do you think Albert R?
Worth a shot?
Labels: Big Jim Fullarton, Flooding, Gillies Ark, Hutton Castle Mill, Noah
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Trouble near t'Mill, Revisited
Its good to see from the Scottish Borders Council Planning website here
that the Hutton and Paxton Community Council have come out against the thoroughly unnecessary application for a second house next to Hutton Castle Mill
One hopes that Mr R will do the decent thing and withdraw the application as a 'Fair Cop Mate...bit of a try on actually Give it another year and have a go' sort of thing.
And which way will big Dim Jim jump
Watch this space
Its good to see from the Scottish Borders Council Planning website here
that the Hutton and Paxton Community Council have come out against the thoroughly unnecessary application for a second house next to Hutton Castle Mill
One hopes that Mr R will do the decent thing and withdraw the application as a 'Fair Cop Mate...bit of a try on actually Give it another year and have a go' sort of thing.
And which way will big Dim Jim jump
Watch this space
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
A bloggee referring to the post about the mysterious new house for the gamekeeper at Hutton Castle Mill has reminded Huttonian of the word on the street, well, Kirk Lane, anyhow that the syndicate who own the fishing rights, pheasantery (and the Guinea Fowlness), the self catering converted mill and the actual, existing, Game keepers house (Dun Poachin?) have plans for a Caravan Park along the bank of the Whiteadder. No planning application as yet and I wonder if the Planning Highheidyins will be all together happy about this idea beside a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) -apparently the fossils in the Whiteadder at that point are real old-man-and must not be disturbed from their slumber. Moreover the proposal would further increase the number of things at risk on a flood plain. Although the flood protection officer (the guy with muddy wellies and two umbrellas) commenting on the house application stated that floods only came about every 200 years-the last huge one was as recently as 1948, so that's all right then.
I suspect the syndicate may have second thoughts-I doubt if many members of the sort of well heeled clientele that the fishing and the mill often attract would relish being next door to a caravan park with heavily tattooed ladies breathing down their Barbours as they struggle with the one that gets away and 'snotty nosed kids' (do they exist any more?) nicking their flies and smearing dirty fingers over the finely buffed Chelsea Tractors. And the game keeper may have all his work cut out-Strangled Pheasant and Chips is not on the usual caravanner's Menu but you have to start somewhere and the Guinea Fowl are quite easy to catch as well
(the image is of a pheasant, glad to escape from potential carnage at t'mill, seeking political ayslum at our kitchen door. Cognescenti will note that he is at the pre-strangulation stage)
Labels: Caravanners, Fishing, Hutton Castle Mill, Whiteadder
Monday, March 31, 2008
Planning. Trouble at t'mill
Its good to know that our very transparent planning system sometimes seems to work: Cognoscenti should once again visit:
http://eplanning.scotborders.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchresults.aspx
and look at the 2nd application under the Hutton and Paxton Community Council bailiwick: House at Hutton Castle Mill. Bloggees with average memories will recall how popular response has led to an unpopular planning application for four new houses, just down the road, being withdrawn. People power in the form of an angry (but reasoned) comments recorded on this website helped to ensure that with the developer having second thoughts.Does not often happen but good sense prevailed.
In the HCM case the 'associated documents' are worth a read. In support of an application to build a house for a gamekeeper on site to look after the pheasantery, Guinea fowlness, salmon and trout fishing, self catering converted mill on behalf of the main agent for a syndicate who lives in Paxton-excellent idea. But wait- this document is dated November 2004! And we can recall that there actually is a house, recently built and lo and behold the occupant is no other than the gamekeeper who has been in occupation of a very pleasant dwelling for a couple of years. All the other papers, including the formal
application relate to a new house-bungalow- for, yes, a gamekeeper (indeed the same self guy), with exactly the same justification as the original application three and a half years ago. Urgency is stressed as the agent in Paxton really needs some one on the spot to look after his interests in the depths of the Whiteadder valley.
One can only speculate. And one does.
The Planning department at mediumheidyins level, at least, don't seem too impressed and having pointed out that there is one house there already -not a bungalow as it happens- (a fact omitted from the application and its supporting docs) reminds the applicant that permission was given for that house on the understanding that it was for just one building and for the purposes (tied to a gamekeeper) stated in the 2004 application, wonders,politely, what in earth is going on, and suggests equally politely that it might be best if the application be withdrawn.
It might indeed.
Strike one for the Planners.
For once.
In the meanwhile the Guinea Fowl at the mill peck on happily, seemingly not caring if they are to have a two house gamekeeper, or not.
Labels: Borders, Hutton Castle Mill, Planning
