A BUSINESSMAN has lost his legal battle to host 'luxury hen parties' at his West Linton mansion.

Michael Cameron had been renting out the 7000-square-foot Greenloaning Mansion for around a decade as a luxury getaway for groups of 15 to 30 guests in its eight bedrooms.

The property which boasted its own cinema room, spa, outdoor hot tubs, pool table and gym had been popular despite the £8,000 per week price tag.

But the noise of late-night parties led to complaints from neighbours - and it was established that change of use permission had never been granted.

In 2018 Scottish Borders Council served an enforcement notice for the parties to end.

Mr Cameron admitted the property hadn't been his main residence since 2009, although he had rented it out previously during the Edinburgh festival.

But he contested the need for change of use planning permission as his he had rented out the property for more than 10 years.

A subsequent appeal to the Scottish Government’s department for planning was eventually thrown out.

In his ruling Reporter Chris Norman stated: “I have studied the representations on the case and note the alleged impact on residential amenity caused by the use of the property for short-stay letting.

“I further note that the appellant has taken steps to curtail the effects of the unauthorised use, and in particular noise and alleged anti-social behaviour.

“I am also mindful of the support given by persons staying at Greenloaning to businesses in the village.

“However, I conclude that the unauthorised use of Greenloaning has an unacceptable impact on the character of the established amenity in this generally quiet part of West Linton."

Mr Cameron was given two months to cease using the house as a party let.

But he took his fight to the Court of Session and appealed against the decision by the Scottish Government.

Following a hearing in front of Lord Brodie, Lord Drummond Young and Lord Malcolm they sided with the decision by both Scottish Borders Council and the Government Reporter.

In delivering the findings Lord Malcolm stated: "The court detects no flaw or legal error in the reporter’s analysis and reasoning.

"It is well established that a use which is incidental to a primary use is subsumed into that primary use.

"Furthermore, if such a use intensifies to become the main or only use of the subjects, in general that will amount to a material change of use requiring planning permission."

Despite the ruling, Greenloaning is still being advertised for parties.