A FURIOUS homeowner has been told to throw away her new £1000 door by the Scottish Government – because it doesn’t suit her historic home.
Retired Margaret Cherry has been ordered to restore a rotting front door of her property, which is part of the home’s “historic fabric” according to planning bosses.
Ms Cherry,55, replaced the rotten door to her cottage in Colinton, Edinburgh last year to improve security and insulation in the old home.
But following a complaint from a neighbour, she has now being forced to remove the new £1000 door by the city council.
Ms Cherry said she replaced the rotten door because it blocked light from her property on the residential terrace.
But following the complaint from a neighbour, the council ordered her to re-hang the original rotting door which has been upheld by the Scottish Government department for planning.
The 55-year-old said she was furious at the decision, as some of her other neighbours have made even bigger changes to their doors in the area.
She said: “I don’t understand the planning reporter. It is unfair they can make this ruling on the basis of one person’s complaint.
“I’ve even been told that they would not have bothered doing it if there hadn’t been any objections. I appreciate this is an area of conservation, but I have put in a perfectly good door, of excellent quality, when I look out at buildings which are falling to pieces and have grass growing out the chimney.”
She added that the new door had allowed more light into the home and improved the insulation.
She also said it made her feel more secure and that it looked very similar to other black doors on the street.
“I invested significant amounts of money buying this place and making improvements to it.
“I have respect for the authority, but I won’t be taken for a mug.
“I bought this as a home for me to grow old and retire in, and letting some light into it through the glass in the door is an important part of that.
“If I have to put in a solid black door, it will be depressing. I’d need to reconsider staying.”
The council made the initial ruling, which was then referred to the Scottish Government planning office.
A complaint from a neighbour prompted the decision, while another submission from another individual was made on the grounds on conservation.
Planning reporter Dannie Onn, has given Ms Cherry six weeks to find and pay for a new door.
He said: “Removal of the door has robbed the building of part of its historic fabric.
“That is a serious loss, because it is unlikely that it could ever be found. It has changed such that is it now at odds with the rest of the terrace.
“The appellant says the door had some rot in it. That may have been so, and it might also have been fitted poorly. Nevertheless, there are generally problems that can be readily corrected without wholesale replacement.”
