Bothwell residents unhappy about former Celtic star’s plan for new home

Mar 24 2011 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

A FORMER Celtic player and Lanarkshire hotelier has lodged plans for a new luxury house in the former grounds of a villa in the heart of a Bothwell conservation area.

Harry Hood - who runs Angels Hotel in Uddingston and the Parkville Hotel in Blantyre - is aiming to demolish an existing garage at plot 7c Fife Crescent and build a two-storey house and replacement garage.

An initial proposal lodged with planners last year, and subsequently withdrawn, attracted objections from neighbouring properties in Dunlop and Fife crescents.

The residents pointed out the scheme was unsuitable for a conservation area which was Victorian in character.

The proposed house was also considered to be “disproportionate” in size.

One resident said this week: “It’s not being built on a plot, but what was a back garden.

“Its size means it will overshadow bungalows in Dunlop Crescent.

“It isn’t in keeping with the area at all.”

However, Mr Hood said he was confident his latest plans would not interfere with his neighbours’ quality of life.

He also pointed out that the new plans conformed to the requisite distances between properties.

He said: “The house is far enough away that it shouldn’t affect the amenity of Dunlop Crescent residents. It shouldn’t affect sunlight.

“We’ve been working hard to ensure that the application doesn’t trouble anyone.

“If neighbours wish to come and speak to me, I’d be delighted to explain the plans to them.”

Mr Hood further pointed out that the scheme was merely a “continuation” of the plans which had already been granted for three houses at the adjacent 5 Fife Crescent address.

He added: “I can understand why people are upset about the conservation area, but a precedent here has been set.”

Mr Hood, now in his mid-sixties played for seven clubs in a 16-year football career.

He played 189 times for Celtic and scored 74 goals including the 1971 Scottish Cup Final winner.

A South Lanarkshire Council spokesman said this week: “There is currently a traditional sandstone property at number 7 Fife Crescent with two flats - 7a and 7b - in a conversion at the rear of the property.

“The property which previously stood at number 5 has been demolished and there is planning consent for three properties on the site.

“(Mr Hood’s) application HM/11/0084 is seeking planning permission to build on a site between the existing number 7 and what was the former number 5.”

The neighbouring Victorian sandstone villa at 5 Fife Crescent was demolished in 2008 for safety reasons after falling into disrepair.

Neighbours were furious that it had been knocked down by owners, Glasgow-based property developers Coakley Homes, without planning permission.

Village councillor Henry Mitchell was also angry that a building which he described as “perfectly sound” three years previously had been “allowed to decay” by South Lanarkshire.

The authority pointed out that while it was regrettable the building had to be demolished, they did not have the powers or resources to carry out work on such buildings.

Earlier this month Coakley Homes submitted an amended plan for a house at plot 2, 5 Fife Crescent.

An application from a Mr and Mrs C Wade for a two-storey detached house on plot 3, 5 Fife Crescent, was granted in April last year.