‘Rural’ house gets go ahead on appeal

Applicant Brian McPhillips had said his plans for a new three-bedroom home in a field at Fallhills, Penicuik, should be approved as it would become part of an already established housing development next to the site known as Fallhills Court.

However planners described the site as ‘relatively remote countryside’ saying the nearest house would be 45 metres away.

And they raised concerns there was no public transport available to new residents.

They described the plans as a “completely unjustified attempt to build a new house in the Midlothian countryside.”

But a meeting of Midlothian Council’s Local Review Body disagreed this week, with members pointing out any new owner would be aware of the lack of public transport.

And concerns it would lead to more houses coming forward on the land were dismissed after councillors agreed a main road provided a natural boundary for the current homes and new addition.

Councillor Peter Smaill said that the nature of the site and the road meant it was unlikely approving the new house would lead to further additions in the future.

He said: “The containment of this site is the B6372 so I don’t think the possibility of ribbon developments on this site are at risk here.

“I get the possibility of it being seen from the road and would think tree planting could be an option here.”

Councillor Colin Cassidy told the committee that ‘people have to live somewhere’ adding he felt the ground, which was a former equestrian centre and hardstanding did not contribute anything to the environment.

The review body agreed to grant planning permission for the new house with conditions including tree screening as part of landscaping.