Racing driver in second attempt at planning

RACE ace David Coulthard MBE is pitting for retrospective planning permission for a steading conversion at Twynholm — for the second time.

He has reapplied to Dumfries and Galloway Council for approval for the work on the building, which is located in the grounds of Barwhinnock House, and which was completed last year.

New permission is needed as the finished three-bed property differs from that which was previously given the go ahead by the local authority in 2022.

And an initial attempt to get the matter sorted out ended with an official refusal decision in March as planners said not enough accurate evidence had been supplied.

Now Mr Coulthard’s agent, Lindsey Evans of Evans Rural Architecture in Newton Stewart, who is dealing with it on his behalf as he lives in Monaco, has put in a fresh bid with photos and plans.

A report on the council website explains the history of the case: “In 2022 planning permission was granted for alterations and change of use of the steading buildings to form a three bed residential dwelling and development initiated on site. However it was later brought to the attention of the planning enforcement team that the works were not in compliance with the consent approved under planning application reference 21/1724/FUL in that the design and materials differed, and the applicant was invited to submit a further application for the

planning authority to consider.

“Upon submission officers noted the information provided was inaccurate and did not fully reflect the development undertaken to date on site.

“Whilst the agent provided additional drawings on 18 March 2026, it remained that these latest drawings did not correctly correspond with the completed development on site.”

The new application is now at the assessment stage.