Thrown out, the grand design that proved to be a little TOO grand
A MILLIONAIRE businessman has been blocked from building a swimming pool and bar at one of the most expensive homes in Scotland.
Sundeep Tuli wanted to erect an extension to his baronial mansion in Edinburgh that would have included a four-car garage with a games room and gym above it.
He bought Hillwood House in 2015 for just under £3.7million, at the time the most costly private home sold north of the Border since the 2008 crash.
He runs the Jean Scene fashion retailer along with his brother Raju and the pair also operate a string of franchises for KFC and Costa Coffee.
Mr Tuli, 47, submitted plans to City of Edinburgh Council for the renovation works at the side and rear of the 147year-old property. The indoor swimming pool would have been 80ft long and was to be built along with a hot tub, a sauna, a bar and a kitchen.
No objections were submitted to the scheme but local authority planners have refused to grant permission, saying the work would damage the character of the C-listed building.
In a written report, they said: ‘The proposed scale of the extension would form an incongruous addition, dominating the front elevation and approach to the listed building.
‘The original building is relatively compact in design, contrasting with the proposed wraparound extension.’
The report added: ‘The proposed extension is not of an appropriate scale, form or design and would have a detrimental impact on the setting of the listed building.’
Hillwood House, which dates to 1872, sits within seven acres of gardens and woodland overlooking the western slopes of Corstorphine Hill. It was once home to the MacKinnon family who owned the Drambuie liqueur company for more than 100 years.
A statement submitted to the council by Mr Tuli’s planning agent said: ‘The applicant is showing a commitment to the property which will be sympathetic and will improve the immediate surroundings.
‘The proposals show a deference to the existing house, create an appealing contribution to the property’s setting and show a logical evolution of the property.’