Artistic retreat and pods plan falls foul of council planners

The show won’t go on for plans to build an arts performance venue in the countryside.

Councillors have rejected plans for a multi-arts workshop/rehearsal space along with five accommodation“pods”on a site on the fringe of the Pentlands regional park.

The site is off a track close to Colzium Cottage close to the shore of Harperrigg reservoir off the A70.

Rob Thorburn said his plan had the support of artistic and creative bodies from around the world and at home, including Creative Scotland. The project’s unique selling point was its tranquil and remote setting. He said it would be an inspiring environment for writers and performers.

He told West Lothian Council’s Development Management Committee the workshop rehearsal centre would make the county“a destination for world-class artists.”

Planning officers were less impressed with the artistic magnetism of the proposals. They suggested that the show could not go on because the arts space would contradict rural development controls which forbids all but “countryside”related development.

Planning laws do not object to the conversion of redundant agricultural buildings into arts/ rehearsal space.

Planners had also suggested the the rural location would make travel to and from the centre difficult. Mr Thorburn said the idea was that people would stay at the centre rather than travel on a daily basis.

The response by the committee was largely positive, welcoming the proposals for artistic development, with some caution about its site in open country on a greenfield site.

Provost Tom Kerr said:“I’m going to go along with the officer’s recommendations. I have a lot of sympathy for the proposal, but would rather have seen them using redundant buildings. It’s a good idea, wrong place.”

But Councillors David Tait and Willie Boyle suggested this kind of rural development that the council should be encouraged. Councillor Tait questioned why the plan had been branded unsustainable. He suggested it was unlikely the field would be returned to rough grazing and unlikely to be used for anything else.

Councillor Boyle said he could see the argument for the proposal promoting tourism and rural diversification. He said: “Whether it’s a rural activity depends on our perception of rural activities. Mountain biking was not considered rural activity at one time.”

The committee voted six to three against granting planning permission.