A dilapidated eyesore stable block in Westfield can be converted into the site of a new family home, despite concerns it could set a precedent for house building in the countryside.
Kevin Gourlay sought planning permission to demolish the brick built stable block on a site at the rear of Westfield House and replace it with a three bedroomed house.
The site sits off a B-Road up an unmade track. Alongside the stable block is a residential caravan.
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Planners had recommended refusal, arguing that the stable was far enough from the village of Westfield to constitute being in open country. They also pointed out that poor public transport meant greater reliance on a car.
There were no objections to the plan. However Planning officer Wendy McCorriston told West Lothian Council’s Development Management Committee: "Whilst it is noted that the site may no longer be of use to the applicant, it is not to say that the site cannot be used for agricultural purposes or for stabling in the future, should appropriate repairs be made to the building through maintenance."
An agent for the applicant told the meeting the design “was a modern sympathetic house, more pleasing to the eye than what it would replace.”
However Councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick ruled the proposals as out of bounds and setting a precedent for house building in the countryside at a time when the council was facing increasing demand. He branded the plan as "speculative."
Local member, and chair of the committee, Councillor Stuart Borrowman pointed out that he had successfully argued for the re-establishment of a regular bus service to the Village. He added that the village has few amenities. “We’d be writing off Westfield if we were to say that nothing was sustainable," he added.
He described the site as brownfield and the existing stables as having no architectural merit. “We are not adding to the footprint of the built area and we seem to be in a position whether we have a permanent caravan on the site or we are going to have a modern, sympathetic house. I don't want the complication of the caravan.”
In a vote five members supported his motion to allow the build and impose a condition of removal of the caravan, with two votes against.
