Millionaire taken to task over planning breaches in 'millionaires' row'

Dec 9 2011 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A HOUSE owner on Scotland’s wealthiest housing estate was reprimanded by Perth and Kinross Council for breaching planning conditions.

Malcolm Howat, the co-founder and CEO of a Glasgow-based nickel-chrome alloy supplier, was censured by the planning authority for building a massive extension to his already sizeable pad at Caledonian Crescent – dubbed “millionaires' row” – in the shadow of five-star Gleneagles Hotel and just yards from the fairways of one of the world’s most famous golf courses.

The businessman was not in PKC’s chambers to take the flak – but a short statement from him was a volley of criticism aimed at neighbours who had alerted the council to planning breaches.

“I am deeply concerned with the misrepresentation in letters to the planning department,” stated Mr Howat.

“The facts of the matter seem to have been replaced by misinformation from neighbours.”

It was Mr Howat’s agent Neil Martin who explained to the development control committee that when his client purchased the property in 2007 he found “significant issues” with the house, and in 2009 made a planning application to “significantly improve the property”.

Mr Martin went on to accept there were differences between what had planning consent and what had actually been built, including the height of the extension and the position and pitch of the ‘eyebrow’ dormers.

Despite the inconsistencies, and letters of objection from other Caledonian Crescent residents, the council’s development quality manager Nick Brian recommended approval of modifications to Mr Howat’s extension with conditions to mitigate the impact on neighbouring properties.

The committee unanimously agreed to this recommendation, but not before chiding the applicant.

Convener Willie Wilson said: “It is unfortunate that we have got to this stage.

“We should not get into these situations, which cause unnecessary work and stress to folk.

“I hope the applicant and his agent will make sure these conditions are implemented at the earliest opportunity and according to plan.

“The people involved knew the rules and it is regrettable that this has happened.”