Mansion heritage concerns are raised
‘Architecturally significant’
The history of a late 19th century Bothwell mansion, which could be demolished to make way for a four-storey care home, has been highlighted by the village’s historical society
Bothwell Historical Society pointed out that Fairleigh House – which stands at the southern entrance to the village at 1 Hamilton Road within the Conservation Area – is a village asset and Balmer Care Homes’ plans for the 61-bed home are “insensitive”.
Objections to the plans to raze the building – which had been occupied by the Harte Construction Group before it went bust in 2012, along with an adjacent bungalow at Old Bothwell Road and replace them with the care home – amounted to 42 by Tuesday of this week.
Villagers have already pointed out that the proposed building would dominate a quiet residential area and destroy the “character and essence” of that part of the village, claiming it would further erode the village’s conservation area status. The care home plans have also been described as “grossly oversized.”
Bothwell Historical Society’s objection states: ‘The proposed care home site is situated in a prominent position at the entrance to Bothwell and its design is entirely out of keeping with the character of the village.
“Bothwell Bridge, the Covenanters monument and Fairleigh House provide an aesthetically pleasing approach to the village which will be destroyed if this planning application is granted.
“Fairleigh House is an architecturally significant red sandstone house and too many of these houses are being lost in Bothwell to modern developments, changing the character of the conservation village. Fairleigh House was the home of Dr James S Dixon who owned the Bent Colliery Company which ran the largest coal mining operation in the Hamilton area.
“He was the president of the Mining Institute of Scotland and the Mining Engineers of Great Britain. He founded the James S Dixon Chair of Applied Geology in the University of Glasgow and the Dr James S Dixon Bursary in Mining Engineering for pupils in technical subjects at Hamilton Academy.
“In addition he was a generous benefactor to the village of Bothwell including providing the Dixon railings and gate at the entrance to the church graveyard.”
Balmer Care Homes have stated that there are ‘no material planning considerations’ which outweigh ‘the positive planning policy position’ for the ‘much-needed luxury care home.’
The firm bought the care home site in December 2015 after it had been on the market for a number of months. ‘Conservation consent’ to demolish the bungalow at 10 Old Bothwell Road was granted in 2015.
There is a statutory 21 (consecutive) day period following neighbour notification of a planning application during which representations can be made. However, the council routinely accepts representations until five working days prior to the item being considered by committee.