Furniture workshop rejection faces forestry link challenge

Claims a furniture workshop has no links to forestry have been challenged after planners refused to grant permission for it to be built.

Iain Stirling was refused planning permission to build a new home for his business Chapelhill Fine Furniture on land at Bolton Muir Woods, East Lothian. But while planners said the workshop had no direct link to “agriculture, horticulture, forestry, infrastructure or countryside recreation,” agents for Dr Stirling disagree.

In an appeal statement due to go before East Lothian Council’s local review body, they said: “To say that furniture making is not directly related to forestry is untrue. There is a clear historic connection between the forestry and furniture making industries: the former provides materials for the latter, and traditionally, furniture makers have been located in, or adjacent to, woodland.”

A graduate of the Chippendale International School of Furniture, Dr Stirling’s workshop would be near the school, on the outskirts of the village of Gifford, and maintain links with it. His agents described it as “an excellent example of local community wealth building”.

Planners refused permission on the grounds it was not related to rural activity, would have a negative impact on the landscape of the site and “would result in the loss of a number of trees which positively contribute to the landscape character of the area and form part of an area of ancient woodland of Bolton Muir Wood.”

The review body will hear the appeal at a meeting next month.