Garage owner fights order to knock it down

A garage owner who tried to save it from demolition by changing its ‘industrial’ appearance with artificial plants and timber is appealing after planners insisted it would still have to be taken down.

Yanka Ivanova  has appealed to Scottish Ministers after planners twice refused to grant retrospective  planning permission for the garage, which was built at her home on Gardiners Crescent, Prestonpans.

Her first application was rejected by East Lothian Council because the garage was deemed to big and the galvanised steel used to create its exterior was too “industrial in character “.

In an attempt to win planning approval a second application was lodged after the outside of the building was ‘softened’ with timber and dark green paint and plants.

However planners once again said no, insisting it was still too big and issuing an enforcement notice demanding it is removed.

In an appeal to Scottish Ministers, agents for Ms Ivanova, argue there are lots of outbuildings of varying size in the area and point to the additional work carried out to make the garage blend in more.

They say: “The client has gone to great lengths to reduce the impact of the outbuilding. Previously it was clad in galvanised metal and in order to soften the overall appearance and make the building more in keeping with its setting in the rear garden of a domestic property.

“Artificial ivy has been fixed to the mesh between the panels to help break the garage massing. Additional plants have been implemented on the south elevation to soften the overall appearance property.”

Planners refused permission saying: “Due to its large size and scale the garage is not in keeping with the size, scale and finish of outbuildings in the rear gardens of other houses in the area.

“Instead, the garage building appears as an overbearing, intrusive and incongruous feature inappropriate to and out of keeping with its setting in the rear garden of a domestic property.”

The Scottish Government Reporter will make a decision on the appeal.

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter