Mavisbank - The Alternative

 

A Short History

Mavisbank House is widely recognised as having been one of Scotland's finest and most architecturally important buildings. Built by William Adam between 1723 and 1727 in the valley of the River North Esk at Polton, Midlothian, it was set in a uniquely beautiful designed landscape. Due to a very serious fire in 1973 and a subsequent history of chicanery, neglect and muddle, the once fine country house now stands as a sad ruin in an extreme stage of dereliction. The grounds, where not overgrazed by horses, have now reverted to woodland, scrub and marsh. Over the past forty years there have been sporadic moves to rescue the house from continuing decay, but none have succeeded. In 1987 Mavisbank was on the brink of demolition, deemed to be unsafe by the Local Authority, when it was saved in the final hour. Since then and although listed as a Category 'A' Building, little or no conservation to the house and grounds has taken place, beyond the erection of supporting scaffolding and a high, unsightly security fence.

The Policies

The neglect of the house and grounds, however, has helped to make this one of the most alluring sections of the North Esk Valley. Bordered by the riverside footpath between Lasswade and Polton and surrounded mainly by pasture land, it is almost completely hidden from nearby roads and dwellings and has therefore become a forgotten area uniquely quiet, peaceful and undisturbed. It provides a rich variety of landscape and natural habitats attracting considerable wildlife, which is rare so close to our centres of population. Currently there is open access to the grounds used largely by local walkers, with the vehicular access in private ownership. The estate is therefore not particularly well known and human disturbance is limited.

Present Safeguards and Protections

As detailed in the Finalised Midlothian Plan, the house and parkland lie within The Mavisbank Conservation Area, The Edinburgh Green Belt and the whole estate is designated as an Area of Great Landscape Value. This currently offers protection to the grounds which are recognised as a designed landscape of national importance and currently owned by Historic Scotland.

Restoration Plans

Recently the Edinburgh Green Belt Trust formed a subsidiary body, the Mavisbank Trust, to pursue the restoration of the house and grounds. As featured in the recent television series, 'Restoration' they have declared ambitious and far-reaching plans dividing their proposals into two phases. Phase 1 would include the creation of a country park and restored landscape followed by Phase 2 the conversion of the house to holiday accommodation, offices and associated car parking. These aspects of the proposed development would give rise to significant and permanent disturbance and arouse serious concern for the conservation of the uniquely attractive but fragile tranquillity of this part of the valley.

 

Friends of Mavisbank

friends@mavisbank.plus.com

 

 

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