A bid to demolish a derelict Borders farm cottage, thought to date back to the early 17th century, has been rejected after it was deemed that approval would create an unwelcome precedent, reports The Border Telegraph.
The Border Telegraph writes:
Plans were submitted to Scottish Borders Council to flatten Burnhouse Cottage, at Burnhouse Farm in Stow, and build a new dwelling house…. But the application has been refused for being an ‘inherently unsustainable means of countryside development’.
… SBC lead planning officer, states: ‘Ultimately, it is recognised that the proposal would achieve a house in the countryside, and that is beneficial in terms of the current housing emergency. It would also do so in a respectful manner. However, policy regulates such housing in order to manage the pressure that such developments can cumulatively have on its character. To approve this development despite this principal requirement not being met would be potentially unsustainable since it implies that deteriorating former houses that have not been maintained over the course of decades and have now reached a state of substantial dereliction as a result are now suitable sites for new replacement houses. That is an inherently unsustainable means of countryside development.’
