An 'alien' garden room overlooking a golf course could be torn down after complaints it is blocking views. A council refused to grant permission for the structure, which has already been built, despite the owner arguing it is the same size as the room it replaced.
Planners have received five objections with neighbours complaining it blocked light, was in open view of a nearby golf course and looked 'alien' against the other cottages, reports Edinburgh Live. Now applicant Kenneth Walker has lodged an appeal with East Lothian Council's Local Review Body, hitting back at claims and dismissing fears the room would be used as a holiday let
In the appeal, Mr Walker says the new garden room is 'only marginally bigger' than the one previously, adding: "From the second fairway on the golf course the only building that obscures the view of the cottages is one built by our neighbour."
And he contests claims the garden room blocks light before adding that the room has not been used since it was built and would never be a holiday let. He said: "When we purchased the cottage it was in a state of disrepair and the garden room and associated decking were not fit for purpose.
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"Our builders did not realise planning was required due to the size of the outbuilding and that we were replacing what was already there with something similar in size." Planners refused retrospective permission for the garden room in December last year, after ruling it was 'inappropriate' when compared to the listed building cottages.
They said: "It masks and draws focus away in views from the public footpath and golf course. It is therefore a form of development that is harmful to the setting of the listed building and the terrace of listed buildings of which the application's house is a part." The appeal will be heard at a virtual meeting of the Local Review Body next week.
