Getting round to restoring woodland site

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1 Monday 12 December 2011 Getting round to restoring woodland site Knock Knowe - house design at Earlston Published on Sunday 4 December :44 A RESCUE plan is under way to try to save an historic man-made landscape near Earlston and at the same time build a stunning modern house that will not impose on the unique setting, writes Mark Entwistle. The landscape and policies of Carolside House were divided up in the late 1970s when parts of the estate were sold. This included the west park of the historic mansion, which was laid out in the early 19th century in the style of famous landscape architect, Capability Brown. The layout was designed to take advantage of the steep contours of the landscape and to provide a dramatic setting for the driveway to the mansion. Unfortunately, the west park was planted up as a commercial forest in the 1970s and many of the original and historic landscape features are in danger of being lost for ever.

2 The current landowner, Robert Younger, has felled the Sitka spruce plantation and is now aiming to restore the site at what is known as Knock Knowe. He is seeking planning permission for a new concept five-bedroom dwelling on a site in the west park, which now forms part of the Earlston Circular Path network, in the hope it will aid efforts to return the area to its former glory. Celebrated Edinburgh architect Richard Murphy describes the building he has designed as a stealthbroch, where no-one really knows whether it is a house, a fortification or an agricultural enclosure. His eye-catching design, which seems to erupt from the ground it stands on, is on display at the Royal Scottish Academy and has generated much comment. The house design incorporates space for five bedrooms and two cars, and is hidden away within a circular stone wall. The project landscape architect, Tim Reid of Urban Wilderness, was quick to see the merits of a full restoration: It s a wonderful part of the country and my first visit was dominated by the dramatic grandeur of the space. Our primary objective therefore is to consolidate the historic remnants and craft the next phase of this evolving landscape. A deforested, derelict hillside is all that is left of what was once the entrance to a model farm and a bastion of 19th-century agricultural innovation. Despite its initial appearance, it remains a landscape of champions, with sequoia, Douglas fir, beech, lime and silver fir some more than 200 years old rising to phenomenal heights. The rooms of the house open on to an internal garden. The only clue that this is a family home is the raised glass pavilion housing the living room. Mr Reid says if planning permission is granted early next year, the house could be completed by early 2013, adding: The aim is to create a house that, hopefully, would be viewed in the same way our generation views Carolside today which is, wow, what a brilliant place.

3 Richard Murphy reveals 'hidden' underground home 23 November, 2011 By Simon Hogg, Richard Waite [First look + plans] Richard Murphy Architects has submitted plans for this subterranean home in the Scottish borders Hidden behind a circular two-metre, course-stone rampart-like rubble wall on a heavily wooded site, the mainly single storey L-shape house near Earlston has been designed as a contemporary version of a folly on a hilltop.

4 The roof of the house is planted as a roof garden. The materials will be local rubble stone, a small area of pressed metal roof to the pavilion and within the walled garden a steel frame and hardwood glazing screen. There is no approach by road: access is via a renovated forest walk from the original forest landscape. Richard Murphy said the project was a building which appears to have no clues as to its function or indeed whether in fact it is a building at all. House near Earlston by Richard Murphy Architects - Elevation Project data Architects: Richard Murphy Architects Location: Knock Knowe, Earlston, Scottish Borders Structural Engineers: Create Engineers Project Architect: Klas Hyllén Landscape Architect: Tim Reid of Urban Wilderness Planning Consultant: Antony Duthie of Clarendon Planning and Development Client: Robert Younger Gross internal floor area 376.8m2 (+63.5m² garage

5 Plans to restore historic Scottish Borders site New concept dwelling for historic landscape at Carolside House being considered...read more» < Landscape the Journal of the Landscape Institute Plans to restore historic Scottish Borders site 7 DEC 2011 A planning application has been submitted for a new concept dwelling in a historic designed landscape at Carolside House near Earlston Architect Richard Murphy's "Stealth-Broch" design for Carolside House Click on image to view gallery Landscape architect Tim Reid of Urban Wilderness has drawn up the landscape masterplan and carried out the historic landscape survey and restoration proposals, while architect Richard Murphy has proposed designs for a circular hill-fort style house. The plan has already sparked debate as it proposes to put a contemporary-designed building into an established historic landscape. Some are likely to see it as sacrilege, but for Reid it is both the next evolutionary step in the landscape s timeline and a useful, perhaps essential vehicle to finance the expensive restoration of a historic landscape. The historic landscape and policies of Carolside House, near Earlston were divided in the late 1970s when parts of the estate were sold off. The West Park of the historic mansion was laid out in the early 19th century in the landscape style of Capability Brown, with the layout designed to take advantage of the steep contours of the landscape and to provide a dramatic setting for the driveway to the Mansion. But the West Park was planted-up as a commercial forestry in the 1970s and many of the original and historic landscape features are in danger of being lost forever.

6 The current owner, Robert Younger, has felled the Sitka spruce plantation and is seeking planning permission for a new concept dwelling, which will serve to enable expensive restoration so that the site, which now forms part of the Earlston Circular Path network, can be returned to its former glory. Reid was quick to see the merits of a full restoration. He said: It s a wonderful part of the country and my first visit was dominated by the dramatic grandeur of the space. Our primary objective, therefore, is to consolidate the historic remnants and craft the next phase of this evolving landscape. A deforested, derelict hillside is all that is left of what was once the entrance to a model farm and a bastion of 19th century agricultural innovation. Despite its initial appearance, it remains a landscape of champions, with Sequoia, Douglas fir, Beech, Lime and Silver fir some over 200 years old rising to phenomenal heights. The restoration of this dilapidated part of the estate has become a vexing landscape conundrum, which the local landowner is attempting to solve. Edinburgh architect Richard Murphy was challenged with designing a house that adds value to an historic landscape yet in no way imposes upon it. He describes his design, currently on display at the Royal Scottish Academy, as Stealth-Broch, where no one really knows whether it is a house, a fortification or an agricultural enclosure. The Heritage Lottery Fund, in association with the local Earlston Paths Group and the Tweed Forum, has already grant-funded the restoration of the Georgian bridge over the Leader at Carolside. It has also contributed to building and restoring a network of public paths on part of the historic estate. Planning consultant, Antony Duthie of Clarendon Planning & Development, is keen to develop this important relationship with local groups: We want to ensure that the restoration process brings the maximum benefit to the local community. The project will provide muchneeded employment for local craftsmen and will also improve the overall amenity for the benefit of the wider public. A planning application has been lodged with Scottish Borders Council by Clarendon and is now open for public consultation. Duthie explains that the redevelopment is consistent with the conservation aim of both Scottish Planning Policy and the Consolidated Scottish Borders Local Plan, which is underpinned by the requirement to support and encourage sustainable development.