Church resident wins right to obscure windows because he dislikes view

The owner of a ground-floor flat in a converted church has been allowed to obscure the glass because he did not like the view, despite community concerns about the impact on the building.

The resident of the former Presbyterian Church, in Loanhead, had applied to Midlothian planners for permission to put “stickers” on the bottom of his windows telling them everyone could see in and all he looked out on was the car park.

Initially, he planned to cover the lower part of the windows with ‘stained glass’ stickers which he argued was fitting for the former church.

However, a report by planning officers said after discussions, it had been agreed a ‘frosted film’ would be used.

Applying for Listed Building Consent to cover the windows, the applicant said: “I intend to apply privacy stickers on my windows as everybody can see through them; and also because I have, at the moment, a view on a parking lot.”

The former Gothic church is Category B Listed and is believed to be on of the first buildings in Scotland made with concrete instead of stone. Records suggest the use of the cheaper material was chosen because of a lack of funds and it was considered a prominent landmark in the village when built.

Loanhead and District Community Council objected to the plans to cover the lower section of glass saying that if it was approved “other flatted dwellings will fix different ‘stickers’ to their windows which would impact the aesthetic of the listed building”.

They added: “This former church is one of a handful of listed buildings within our town and we expect Midlothian Council to protect our historical buildings from aesthetic changes and preserve listed buildings in their listed condition, which, contributes to our heritage and will allow future generations to connect with their past.”

Approving the change, planning officers said: “The proposed window film is to be internally fixed to the lower pane of three windows within the flatted dwelling.

“Externally the window film will be viewed similar to a blind. The window films are completely reversible. The proposed window film does not result in an adverse visual impact upon the character or appearance of the listed
building.”