Re: [Cochrane] Cochrane Castle!
by Cynthia Cochran Scheuer Jones
I received this email this morning!
SAVE COCHRANE CASTLE (TOWER)!!! I have a picture of this tower that was
taken a few years ago.
The property of Cochrane Castle, which is now has a tower. The original
Cochrane Castle was located in Johnston, in Renfrewshire, near Paisley. The
original Castle was located at what is now referred to as the Red House,
address 29 Auchengreoch Ave. in Johnston. The Red House was built on the
original site of the first Cochrane Castle, and the Tower was part of this
estate. The Tower was constructed in 1896 on the ruins of the original
Cochrane Castle. Built within the Tower walls is the original Cochrane
Crest dated 1592, as well as a plaque marking the spot as Cochrane Castle
1896. Recently, the owners of the Red House were allowed to sell off part
of the property, the part with the tower on it commemorating and marking the
original castle location. The neighbors objected to this on the grounds
that the Tower for historical reasons should be kept with the Red House, but
the sale went through anyway. At the moment there is a plan to build on
this property a monstrous house complete with an indoor swimming pool and
spa gym. The driveway would butt right up against the foundation of the
historical tower and go over what I believe may be the original Cochrane
Castle wells. The architects application refers to the area as the garden
area for the Red House and neglects to mention that it is also the location
of the Cochrane Tower and potentially the castle wells. This in itself is a
significant omission in their request for permission to develop this land.
I get the feeling that the planning board is not happy with this application
(as Mr. Naughton a planning rep for Paisley stated there are problems with
the application) and is looking for a reason to deny it to develop this
land. They highly suggested we get as many of the Cochrane Clan members as
possible to email them at dc(a)renfrewshire.gov.uk or phone them at
01418425811/5822 in reference to application #08/0623/PP. The website for
the Department of Planning and Transport is www.renfrewshire.gov.uk
Further, I met with one of the neighbors and they too object. I went as far
as to suggest I would buy the property, clean it up and keep it maintained
for the future. Thus in brief, that is where this stands. I will be
returning stateside July 10th. Please feel free to email me or anyone else
with Clan Cochrane that may be able to email the planning department or me.
Many thanks Frank Cochrane
cokkinos(a)aol.com
Points to Stress:
1. This is the site of the original Cochrane ancestral home.
2. The tower is recognized as a historical site at the Paisley
Department of Planning and Transport
3. Was is being done to preserve and protect the Cochrane Tower.
4. How do the building plans affect the historical structure of the
wells and tower
5. Do the owners have plans to restore Cochrane Tower (I have been
told by locals that Scottish law requires private property owners to keep
historical buildings on their property in good order. I don't know if this
is true).
6. This is a "listed" site with Historic Scotland and they too need to
be notified of this.
7. If all our efforts end up being exhausted, we must make sure that
Historical Scotland makes/gets the land owner to maintain it and allow
access to all those interested in and visiting the historic "listed" site.
Note: Postings on above websites may be down for some reason.
Note: My husband and I contacted the head of the Archaeology Department at
the University of Glasgow (who had done the diggings at Dundonald Castle)
and put him onto this problem. We are awaiting a reply from him.