Lanark's Winston Barracks gatehouse can go

Back in 2007, when there were plans for almost 400 houses on the barracks, an earlier planning consent stipulated that the owners of the site had to renovate and convert the Gatehouse to new housing.

But this week South Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee agreed that that plan was now uneconomical, and councillors granted planning permission for the demolition of the two-storey 1930s building, beside Lanark Racecourse.

An earlier developer had been granted consent for its demolition in 2009, but that consent expired.

The new application, from a Mr Fleming with the Gatehouse listed as his address, sought permission to demolish the C listed Gatehouse and redevelop the cleared site with 13 2½ storey townhouses, identical to those on the east side of the Barrack site.

Historic Scotland was consulted and said that as the proposal did not raise issues of national significance, it did not object, although the loss of a further listed building was ‘regrettable’.

Councillors on last Tuesday’s planning committee were told that a structural report conluded the building was in poor condition with numerous structural defects.

“The external building fabric has been affected by water ingress and lack of repair and the true extent of the damage is likely to be worse than is currently visible,” said a report to councillors, recommending they allow the demolition.

“Although repair is possible, the works required would be so extensive that little of the existing building would remain.

“Retention of a Listed Building would always be the preferred option; unfortunately, economic circumstances render restoration of the building unviable,” the report continued.

“Although the Gatehouse has local merit in terms of its relationship within the wider Winston Barracks complex, it is not judged to be of such importance or architectural merit that retention would be deemed to be in the national interest.

“The poor and deteriorating condition of the structure is having a detrimental impact upon the amenity of the neighbouring residential development and the wider area given its prominent location on Hyndford Road.

“In addition, safety concerns associated with the building are also an issue.”

The planning committee also approved the plans for the 13 houses.

These will be in three separate blocks in a U-shape with a parking court, and an access road to the new roundabout on the A73 in front of the restored Sandhurst building. New landscaping is proposed along the Hyndford Road frontage.