Item 6 Appendix 3 Support2019/0005/DETand 2019/0018/LBC
CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY Planning Committee Agenda Item 6 Appendix 3 26/04/2019
AGENDA ITEM 6
APPENDIX 3
2019/0005/DET & 2019/0018/LBC
REPRESENTATIONS SUPPORT
@theahss Speaking for Scotland’s Buildings
AHSS THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND
11 January 2019
development.control@moray.gov.uk Development Management Environmental Services The Moray Council PO Box 6760 Elgin IV30 9BX
Dear Sir or Madam,
Planning Application Ref: 18/01563/LBC Site Address: Scalan North And South Mill, Chapeltown, Ballindalloch, Moray AB37 9JS Description: Restoration and repair of mill buildings to including lime pointing repair timber windows and doors slater works to roof repairs to North Mill waterwheel and install lighting
As a heritage organisation, The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland is supportive of any initiatives aimed at retaining historic buildings in use in an appropriate and complementary manner. We would therefore like to commend these proposals as an exemplary project to conserve an important group of historic agricultural buildings and improve public access.
Scalan is of course the site of the secret 18th-century Roman Catholic seminary dating from the time when Catholicism was a proscribed faith. Although the mill buildings date from the site’s later agricultural use, they form a continuum with the original seminary. Scalan is a very sensitive place of great historic importance and of spiritual significance to Roman Catholics, an importance reflected in the number of visitors despite Scalan’s relative remoteness. These plans fully reflect the sensitivity of the site and will only enhance visitors’ enjoyment and understanding of what is a special place to so many people.
Scalan Mills are a rare survival, with their original mill machinery, horse stalls and fittings, timber panelling, and original clay floors. They therefore give an important insight into 19th-century agricultural life. The philosophy of the plan is of minimal intervention needed to conserve the mills for the future while improving public access, including for the disabled. This approach is similar to that initiated by the Scalan Association in the repairs/conservation they commissioned which were also adopted by the National Trust for Scotland at Newhailes House, both of which have been highly successful.
AHSS National Office | 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH1 2BE 0131 557 0019 | nationaloffice@ahss.org.uk | www.ahss.org.uk The Architectural Heritage Society (AHSS) is a registered charity: SC007554REG. The Society is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee: SC356726
@theahss Speaking for Scotland’s Buildings
AHSS THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND
Great thought has gone into the detailed plans, including conservation of the surprisingly large amount of original mill machinery and waterwheel. We especially liked the intention to unblock the mill lade and bring the waterwheel back into working order. We were pleased that the social history significance of the historic graffiti is recognised and that it will be conserved too. We also commend the thought that has gone into maintaining the site’s value as a wildlife habitat.
In summary, we feel this is an excellent example of a plan to protect buildings of historic, cultural, and religious significance while improving public access and understanding, and very much support the proposals.
We would be grateful if the above points could be taken into consideration.
Yours faithfully,
Dr W. A. Brogden Cases Panel Convener AHSS North East Group
AHSS National Office | 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH1 2BE 0131 557 0019 | nationaloffice@ahss.org.uk | www.ahss.org.uk The Architectural Heritage Society (AHSS) is a registered charity: SC007554REG. The Society is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee: SC356726