Designs fit for a prince's architect, but not planners as art extension rejected

Published on Monday 15 February 2010 21:33

THEY have joined forces with some of Britain's best-known artists to transform the grounds of their 17th century mansion on the outskirts of Scotland's capital.

• Robert and Nicola Wilson in the grounds of their Jupiter Artland

The 80-acre estate run by Robert and Nicola Wilson has been hailed as a major addition to the nation's cultural landscape after they unveiled their vast collection of outdoor artworks last summer.

Antony Gormley, Andy Goldsworthy, Charles Jencks and Marc Quinn are among the artists whose work attracted thousands of visitors to the new Jupiter Artland when it was opened to the public – after years of work by the couple.

But despite winning widespread plaudits from art critics, the well-heeled pair have fallen foul of Edinburgh city council's eagle-eyed planners.

Proposals to extend their historic home at Wilkieston, near Edinburgh Airport, to take advantage of growing interest have been rejected after talks between the Wilsons' architect and planning officials broke down.

Proposals for Bonnington House were rejected before they even reached the city's planning committee and councillors were not given the chance to visit.

The Wilsons, who bought the estate in 1999, had won backing from Historic Scotland, the Cockburn Association and the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS) and were hoping to build two modern extensions to either side of the A-listed building to provide overnight accommodation for visiting artists and guests.

The plans included a function hall for exhibitions and receptions, new kitchen and catering facilities with a home for the growing archive and storage rooms for artists' equipment.

Papers lodged with the council said they wanted to "re-make the house as the centre of an economically-active estate".

Leading Edinburgh architect Benjamin Tindall, said to be Prince Charles's favourite, was brought in to design the extensions to ensure they fitted in with the look of the original building without being seen as "pastiche".

But the council rejected the drawings on the grounds the extensions were "out of scale" with the original building and "inappropriate" for the estate.

Mr Tindall's submission to the council states: "The addition of wings to a category A-listed building is not a proposal to be made without good cause and to the highest standards. We believe the proposals demonstrate this."

Mr Tindall told The Scotsman: "We all were disappointed and surprised by the refusal, especially considering how much care was taken with the proposals and the support they received.

"Anyone who has visited Jupiter knows what exceptional standards Robert and Nicky Wilson have and what a major contribution their work is for the city."

Euan Leitch, spokesman for the AHSS, said: "The development of Bonnington House and estate is already of the highest quality and we are confident the current proposals will in no way damage the buildings's character or setting."

A spokesman for the council said the Wilsons' application had been dealt normally as a "household" application.

John Bury, the head of planning, added: "We were very disappointed that pre-application discussions, during which we made our concerns known to the applicant, were not seen through to a fitting conclusion prior to an application being made.

"We believe a positive outcome is achievable and have offered to meet the applicant and their agent to resume dialogue."