A couple have won a battle to bulldoze a £1million house and replace it with a £4million mansion.
Rory and Kate Hunter paid £920,000 for the home in Linlithgow, West Lothian, then drew up demolition plans.
They said they needed to replace the property, known as Jocks Hill House, with an energy efficient home to meet the government’s green agenda.
The couple claimed the existing house had lost much of its ‘original fabric’ due to poor upgrades and hoped West Lothian Council would approve their blueprint for a new green home.
Officials rejected the move and said it would impact on the town’s Linlithgow Palace and High Street conservation area.
The Hunters appealed to the Scottish Government and have now been given the green light to build their new six-bedroom luxury home.
Figures calculated on behalf of the couple showed it would cost £4.8million to retrofit the existing property but £4.1million for a new build.
The property owned by Rory and Kate Hunter in Linlithgow, which is to be torn down
The plans for the new £4million mansion, which they have three years to complete
An appeal document lodged on their behalf said: ‘Mr and Mrs Hunter aspire to achieve excellence in creating an energy-efficient home, in line with the government’s drive to reduce carbon emissions arising from domestic energy consumption.
‘Following the purchase of Jocks Hill House, early cost advice was obtained on adapting and retrofitting the existing property to meet these objectives.
‘However, both externally and internally, much of the original fabric of Jocks Hill House has already been lost as a result of poor-quality upgrades and extensions.
'The outcome of the cost exercise, together with the current condition of the house, led the Hunters to pursue the proposal now under consideration.’
It added: ‘The proposed replacement represents the most appropriate, sustainable, and context-sensitive architectural solution for Jocks Hill, safeguarding heritage, landscape, and environmental value, while establishing a benchmark for a high-quality, low-carbon, site-specific family home.’
Government reporter Jane Smith said: ‘I am satisfied the proposed demolition, subject to the conditions imposed, would preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area.’
That overturned the council’s stance which said the original building was of ‘architectural and historic interest’ and as it ‘contributed positively to the conservation area, the demolition of it would neither preserve nor enhance the character and appearance’ of the conservation area.
Conditions imposed include the Hunters being told when work can and cannot take place and submission of plans over how they will minimise noise, dust and vibrations.
They have three years in which to complete the work.