'We don't want to live in a museum': Local Hero village granted conservation status despite resident pleas

Unique planning rules have been agreed for Pennan despite an ongoing row over the need for its restrictive conservation area status.

Councillors were asked to consider new guidance for the historic coastal village that residents would need to adhere to if they wished to make any changes to their homes.

This would mean uPVC windows, gutters and downpipes are not allowed as they are “not suitable” and “not in keeping with the character of the area”.

Members of the Banff and Buchan area committee had previously discussed the matter last month but wanted to hear from the local authority’s head planner Paul Macari first.

Pennan was deemed to need conservation status as it was believed to have “special architectural or historic interest”.

The village was used as the film set for the 1983 movie Local Hero, which continues to draw movie fans to the village.

Mr Macari explained that he has the power to designate and remove conservation areas.

However by law, Historic Environment Scotland can also determine if there should be a conservation status in place and may enforce it.

They would have to tell the council about their intent to implement the change, but they don’t have to consult the local authority or those living in the affected communities.

As residents don’t get a say in the matter, they have no right of appeal against a status designation, variation or cancellation.

Former Pennan resident councillor Glen Reynolds stated that “very little” had been done in in the village to enhance it over the years.

However, he believed that there was a bigger issue at hand – keeping Pennan alive as a thriving village.

Last month, the committee was told that just eight people live there full-time, with the remaining houses being used as second homes or holiday lets.

“We have to look at the future and move on, people are not overly concerned about whether this gutter is appropriate or that window is appropriate,” he said.

“They’re interested in the sustainability of Pennan and I think that should be a focus.”

He added: “Designating a conservation area does come with a responsibility from the council and I think a lot of people will feel that Pennan has been let down.

“It has deserved historically so much more so that it doesn’t just stay as a museum as it were, but becomes a live, active and cohesive community.”

Councillor Reynolds also argued that a recent addition to the village went against the strict guidelines.

“If you look at Pennan today there are new buildings including one that’s entirely black made out of corrugated iron.

“That went through planning but it creates a total farce around the discussion to do with conservation area status and traditional materials.

“The black shed might well be applicable traditionally to places like the Hebrides, but my understanding is that in relation to Pennan there hasn’t been these black sheds.”

Addressing this, Mr Macari explained that conservation doesn’t mean preservation.

“It’s about securing that footprint in time of when the village was developed, what the appearance of the buildings were, but it doesn’t stop modern development being incorporated,” he stated.

“The corrugated metal is actually traditional to the area and that’s why and it was deemed acceptable.

“But it’s the same about all historic assets, there has to be an element of modern interpretation and adaptation.

“If we don’t, we start to get vacancy and dereliction to the point where these settlements start to diminish significantly.”

Village resident Alistair Mackenzie has been vocal about his desire to see the heritage status removed.

He believes that residents should be given a “forward-looking” plan and freedom to choose more affordable repair options for their properties.

Mr Mackenzie also thinks the erosion of the nearby cliffs is a more pressing matter that needs addressed first.

Attending the virtual meeting, he stressed: “We do not want to remove conservation status and trash the ambience of Pennan, quite the opposite.

“We passionately want to sustain it and deliver a prosperous future for the village.

“Other circumstances threaten the mere existence of Pennan so much more than it will ever be impacted by inappropriate building materials or design styles.”

He called for something to be done to protect the seawall, or Bankhead as it is known locally, as he said it has “significant breakdown” and is a “hazard to pedestrians”.

However, fellow resident Andrew Noble who has lived in Pennan since 1977 believes that the conservation status should remain in place.

Sharing his views he said: “If you choose to come and live in a conservation area you should be prepared to abide by the planning laws, it’s as simple as that.”

Going back to the planning document, Mr Macari told councillors that a conservation area appraisal for Pennan has been completed and he decided to enforce it.

“The committee haven’t been asked to designate or de-designate the conservation area in Pennan,” he said.

“All that’s really been asked in this report is to approve the conservation area appraisal as planning guidance.”

Councillors went on to agree the new guidance but asked that a wider action plan be created for the village to address challenges such as the Bankhead and village car park.