New Build House, Scottish Borders, Conservation Village

This new build house on the site of some former sheds in the heart of the West Linton Conservation Area, has been complimented by the local planning authority as a fine example of how to sensitively design in a historic setting. The new house is a steel frame with an ‘Abodo’ timber clad first floor that projects beyond the natural stone clad ground floor.

The house has been designed as a fully accessible home, with a ‘flexstep’ front entrance lift, an internal lift between ground and first floors, and accessible bathrooms for barrier free living.

A controversial proposal, this planning submission attracted 21 objections but also gained 11 letters of support. The proposals also had the support of the local Heritage and Design officer and the Planning Officer. Due to the number of objections, it had to be determined at planning committee where it gathered more support and compliments from the planning committee members. 

Interestingly, now that it has been completed, we hear nothing but compliments.

Our reasoning from the start was that new development in a conservation area should contribute to architectural interest rather than try to ‘blend in’. Too regularly these attempts to disappear a new property among the historic buildings end up diluting the integrity of an area. We would much rather try to add to the future architectural heritage which makes for a more exciting and vibrant built environment.

Completed on site in 2022.