NEW LIGHTS ON HUGUENOT ENIGMA

Planning permission is sought to reconfigure four existing high-level windows on the east elevation of the peculiar building at 2 Hart Street Lane. 

Also proposed is reconfiguration of the north facade to include a new entrance door and window at ground-floor  level, and new and configured windows at first and second-floor levels, together with a timber balcony at second-floor level (Ref. 15/05345/FUL).  

Readers may recall this unlisted structure as the supposed ‘Huguenot Temple’ or 'Monastery' (neither of which terms sounds very Protestant), formerly occupied by Gaia Architects and, long before that, the studio where ‘Flower of Scotland’ was first recorded by the Corries (see Issues 164–5, 182). It was converted to residential use in 2011/12. 

In a design statement, Samuel Moran Architects speak of significantly re-establishing the building within its setting ‘as it surely must once have been’. They acknowledge some form of ‘communal or prayer association’ is suggested by the records and the perpendicular ecclesiastical windows, but suspect the structure was put together out of the spoil from building the New Town.

The proposed windows on the eastern side ‘seek to reflect windows that appear to have been in this location historically but at a lower level and are now covered over by the adjacent garden wall. These window openings are visible from inside which we are keen to refurbish and express internally’.

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In an amusingly phrased statement of intent, owners Grouss Residential Investment Partnership LLP seek planning permission to ‘retain and purify changes made to the consented scheme Ref 05/03632/FUL/LBC’ at 6 Northumberland Place Lane (Ref.15/05731/LBC). 

The earlier and ‘relatively minor’ changes were made by a different applicant for reasons unknown. It is not clear to us from this application in what way those changes differ from the consented plans.

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Listed building consent has been granted for elements of the overall scheme to renovate the City Observatory complex on Calton Hill (Ref. 15/01737/LBC; Breaking news, 28.5.15). 

The proposed demolition of three domes and ancillary buildings ‘complied with the appropriate tests set out in the SHEP [Scottish Historic Environment Policy] and will not have any adverse impact on the setting of the listed buildings. The proposed new build will not have any adverse impact on the setting of the listed buildings to remain on site’.