Elmwood fence divides opinions

Council gives go-ahead for 68ft-long structure

Controversial plans for a 68ft-long timber fence between two historic and listed Bothwell buildings have been granted.

Elmwood Manor resident Maureen Ferguson submitted the proposal for the 4½ft high fence to form a boundary between the grade-b listed manor and the adjacent grade-c listed Elmwood Lodge off Blantyre Mill Road for security reasons.

But objectors, who included Mrs Ferguson’s Elmwood Lodge neighbours Jemma and Michael Mclaughlin, pointed out that the timber fence was ‘completely inappropriate’ for the heart of Bothwell with its ‘architecturally significant historic buildings’.

The Victorian Elmwood Manor building was subdivided into luxury flats in the 1970s after it ceased to be a school – while Elmwood Lodge is a separate stand-alone residence.

Thirteen letters of objection were lodged with planners over the proposal to build the fence, and an additional two were received on Mrs Ferguson’s listed buildings application.

Council planning chief Michael Mcglynn told South Lanarkshire’s planning committee on Tuesday that Mrs Ferguson considers that a gap in a fence between Elmwood Lodge and Manor as a weak point in the grounds’ security.

He added: “[She] has advised that a wall surrounds the property alongside both Blantyre Road and Blantyre Mill Road.

“However, when the gates, which access the lodge, are left open along Blantyre Mill Road persons can access the grounds of the manor via the gate and the gap in the fence between the grounds of these two properties. [She] considers that the construction of a fence in this location would address this weak point.”

One objector had pointed out that it was difficult to understand why security and privacy were only a concern at the areas across the front of Elmwood Lodge and not in relation to the rest of the grounds.

Mr Mcglynn however pointed out: “[She] has acknowledged that there is a communal access point for both Elmwood Manor and the adjacent flatted housing complex further along Blantyre Mill Road and [is] looking at options as to how to make this area of [the] ground more secure.”

The planning chief also stated that Historic Environment Scotland had been consulted on the listed buildings application and had not make any comment.