Farming family’s planning appeal for new home

A FARMING family based near Newton Stewart is appealing a council decision to block their plans to knock down and replace their old farmhouse.

Mr and Mrs Gerrish applied for permission to demolish the existing farmhouse at Elrig Farm and build a larger, modern home in its place.

But Dumfries and Galloway Council planners refused the application in January so the family has now taken the case to the local review body for councillors to consider their appeal.

Planning bosses say the proposed new house is too big, sits in the wrong location, and that knocking down a traditional pre-1919 farmhouse cannot be justified under planning rules.

Planning officer Joshua Scott said the proposed dwelling “would not replace an existing habitable dwelling with a house of an appropriate design or scale within the same curtilage.”

He added that demolishing the farmhouse — which he classes as a historic building worth protecting — “is the least preferred option” under national policy.

The department also rejected the argument that renovation would cost too much.

In his report, Mr Scott wrote: “Just because a new build dwelling is cheaper than renovation of an existing, does not mean that renovation and extension is not viable.

“Renovation of heritage assets often are more expensive; such is the nature of conservation work.”

However, the family’s planning agent, Lindsey J Evans of Evans Rural Architecture, says a new home is essential because of the applicant’s health, making it impossible to keep using a farmhouse where the office is on the upper floor.

In her appeal statement, the agent wrote: “The proposed dwelling addresses this issue, with office accommodation being provided on the principal living level, to avoid the continual need to climb stairs.”

Evans also argues that restoring the old farmhouse would actually destroy the very character that officers want to protect.

She wrote: “It seems counter-intuitive to retain a property for its traditional character, when the required renovation and extension works would render the property unrecognisable at best.”

However, it was suggested that some materials from the old farmhouse — such as stone — could be reused in the new building.

The appeal will be considered at the local review meeting on June 17.