Why Pennan residents need a new local hero and not silly rules about windows |
The village of Pennan may be global film star but its conservation status is not helping locals to maintain a sustainable life and must be eased, argues Herald columnist Alan Simpson
IT is a village of just one street and regularly gets battered with the full force of the North Sea winds that come in from the east.
In many ways it is very similar to virtually every other seaside town around the coast of Scotland and it probably wouldn’t be known outside of it’s corner of Aberdeenshire except for on this.
More than 40 years ago, Pennan was catapulted into global recognition as the setting for the classic Bill Forsyth film Local Hero and still draws movie fans to this day.
The 1983 film, starring Burt Lancaster, Peter Riegert, Fulton Mackay and Denis Lawson, sees Pennan double up as Ferness which has been chosen as the site of an oil refinery and is earmarked to be demolished.
The village’s red telephone box was a big factor in the film and tourists still turn up today to make a call from it.
But now a new drama is taking place in the village after s residents called for Pennan’s conservation status to be removed amid fears the rules make them feel they “live in a museum”.
Having the status in place means that villagers have to follow various guidelines if they wish to make upgrades to their homes.
But despite being a conservation area since 1977, there has never been any tailored guidance written especially for Pennan.
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Members of the Banff and Buchan area committee recently considered a report on the upkeep of the historic coastal village.
The document would help with planning rules for anyone wishing to undertake work or repairs on buildings in Pennan.
But it wouldn’t put any “additional burdens” or policies on residents.
It simply gave clarity on why Pennan is designated as a conservation area and outlines planning rules.
A similar report previously went before the committee back in December 2022, but councillors asked that further consultation be carried out with the community first.
In its latest document, Aberdeenshire Council describes Pennan as a “unique and remarkable” fishing village that is “set within a dramatic location”.
It claims the village has “one of the most distinctive and recognisable views in Aberdeenshire”.
The area appraisal states that uPVC rainwater goods are “not suitable” for conservation areas or listed buildings.
It goes on to suggest they be replaced with cast iron alternatives “in keeping with the character of the historic settlement”.
But that is not the only modern upgrade to be frowned upon.
Under conservation area guidance, uPVC windows are “not in keeping with the character of the area”.
Meanwhile, oversized box dormers and large roof lights are deemed to be “inappropriate”.
Fixtures such as satellite dishes or solar panels can have a “detrimental effect” on the streetscape, but Pennan doesn’t have any of these.
Even the village’s yellow grit bin has been found to be “not complementary to the character and appearance of the conservation area”.
Pennan resident Alistair Mackenzie attended the virtual meeting to make a case against the village being a conservation area.
He believes that the biggest threat to Pennan is erosion of the nearby cliffs and not modern uPVC windows.
The resident revealed that those who attended a public meeting in June 2024 called for the conservation area status to be removed.
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Instead, they want a more “forward-looking, sustainable” plan and residents to be able to choose more affordable repair options.
They also called for the council to put less emphasis on stricter “traditional” guidance.
However, Mr Mackenzie stated that he and his fellow villagers “may have been listened to, but haven’t necessarily been heard”.
He added: “I and many in Pennan do not think we need a conservation area or a plan. We don’t want to look backwards and live in a museum – we want to look forward to a sustainable future.
“It is a stark reality that Pennan is likely to be much more threatened by the sea to the north and the cliff to the south than uPVC windows and TV aerials.”
Mr Mackenzie also revealed that Pennan has just eight full-time residents, with the remaining properties being used as second homes or Airbnbs.
Meanwhile, councillors questioned whether Pennan still deserves conservation status.
Members wanted a focused consultation specifically on whether Pennan should remain a conservation area, such as the one recently carried out for Aberchirder.
Councillors also explained that there is uncertainty around ownership of the bankhead, car park, and some green spaces which undermines claims that the area is being protected.
Pennan resident councillor Glen Reynolds said that bringing this report before consultation was “putting the cart before the horse”.
But Aberdeenshire Council officers made it clear that the status was not up for review as part of this latest report.
They explained that a review would only be needed if an area no longer meets national criteria for being protected, but Pennan still does and they believed Historic Environment Scotland would probably object to removing it.
After a lengthy debate, the committee refused the updated plans as they want a full conservation status review to take place first
For some people conservation villages are great for preserving the original features and character of historic places.
But for others, they are just another layer of pointless bureaucracy that hinders them in their quest for home improvements.
For those of us who have been in Pennan, it is impossible to argue that the houses could do with uPVC windows given their proximity so the wild North Sea.
It would be worth asking councillors to pay the village a visit when there’s a full Force 8 on the go and show them the windows rattling with the effects.
Mr Mackenzie is absolutely right when he complains about living in a museum and this is the key problem with conservation designations.
It is all well and good for councillors to sit in the council chambers and pronounce on things like this and then slap themselves on the back for ‘protecting’ heritage.
Of course it’s important to preserve heritage but not at the cost of sustaining the place for this generation and beyond.
It is harsh enough living in a village like Pennan without imposing silly rules that make it even harder.
Of course Pennan is at risk from the cliffs behind - it is not alone in facing that threat - and councillors should instead concentrate on things like that rather than on grit bins and satellite dishes.
Historic Environment Scotland do a grand job across the country, but it is hard to argue against that some rules and regulations are just too harsh and should be eased.
If they are, then Pennan may just have found a new local hero.