Replacement door at Feoladair House, Huntly

The site and its history

The building is a semi-detached dwelling in the Huntly Conservation Area, with earlier permissions covering its conversion, windows and former entrance.

“The building formerly contained a dwellinghouse and a shop which was consolidated into a single dwellinghouse under APP/2005/2885, with the former additional entrance having been filled in with stonework to match the rest of the building immediately to the east of the existing main entrance. The site is bound by a one-and-a-half storey semi- detached dwellinghouse to the west, semi-detached dwellinghouses across Deveron Street to the north, and a parking area to the south.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because replacing the traditional timber door with a composite door would harm the building and conservation area.

“Local Place Plan (LPP) Registered LPP – No 6. Discussion 6.1 The main planning considerations are the layout, siting and design of the proposal and its impact on the character of the existing dwelling and Huntly Conservation Area. The principle of development is accepted under Policy 16 of NPF4 and Policy P3 of the LDP which both support house alterations.”

“Built Heritage has reviewed the proposal and objects on the basis of the proposed loss of a high quality solid timber door at this location for a composite door, citing the Huntly Conservation Area Management Plan’s statement regarding the significant contribution timber panelled doors contribute to the character of the conservation area.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Senior Planner outlined the refusal recommendation, and the Historic Environment Team Leader explained the heritage objection and lack of justification.

Members’ debate

Members held differing views about whether the proposed door would negatively affect the conservation area’s character.

“During discussion, Members expressed differing views on whether the proposed door would have a negative impact on the character of the Conservation Area.”

“The proposed replacement of a solid timber panelled door with a composite door is considered to be appropriate at this location and is not out of character with the quality and appearance of the building, and would not have a negative impact upon the Huntly Conservation Area and therefore does comply with Policy P1: Layout, siting and design, Policy P3 Infill Developments within Settlements and Householders Developments (including home and work proposals), and Policy HE2:…”

Minutes