Legal Warning Over Renovations at David Coulthard's Scottish Estate
Former racing driver David Coulthard has been cautioned that he may face legal action concerning work undertaken at his mansion in Scotland.
The 55-year-old received planning permission in 2022 to convert steadings at Barwhinnock House, located near Twynholm in Kirkcudbrightshire, into a three-bedroom residence.
However, Dumfries and Galloway Council's planning enforcement team has stated that the work was not carried out "in compliance with the consent approved" and that "the design and materials differed" from the agreed plans.
Coulthard's agent, Lindsey Evans of Evans Rural Architecture, expressed that she could not identify any "inaccuracies" in the submitted drawings.
A retrospective planning application was submitted last year, but officials noted that the information provided "was inaccurate and did not fully reflect the development undertaken on site."
A subsequent application, lodged last month, was also rejected.
In correspondence with the council, Evans wrote:
"This seems ridiculous. Of course, the client wishes to submit accurate drawings and does not wish to amend the as-built structure.
"I cannot find the discrepancy and the simplest solution would be for you to point this out so it can be remedied immediately. Why is this not possible?"
Council planner Iona Brooke responded to the architect:
"The onus is on the applicant/ agent to submit accurate drawings. It is not within the remit of the planning authority to highlight discrepancies."
She added that if Coulthard did not "wish to submit accurate drawings" the council would "move to refusal."
"As it stands the works do not benefit from consent as they are not in accordance with the drawings and are, therefore, potentially liable for enforcement action," she added.
Coulthard, who was raised in the area but now primarily resides in Monaco, had previously been granted permission to convert a former mill on the 85-acre estate into a storage facility for his private car collection.
In recent months, he has also received approval to construct a floodlit padel court and install two sets of security gates at the A-listed Regency-style seven-bedroom mansion, which was built in 1830.
