Plans to develop 130 new homes at Longniddry Farm, East Lothian, have been approved.

Consent was granted to build 124 houses and six flats by East Lothian Council's Planning Committee. The homes are part of a wider site which has planning permission in principle for around 450 houses, some of which are already complete.

A total of 109 of the houses would be for private sale, and 15 houses and six flats are proposed as affordable housing units. Three objections had been submitted, which raised concerns around potential pressure on the existing infrastructure and access to the existing farm cottages. Following a debate, committee members voted unanimously to approve the application, with an additional condition to be agreed, to ensure adequate parking for residents of the existing farm cottages.


Committee members also voted 10 votes to two to approve an application for alterations and an extension to a first and second storey flat at 10 Forth Street, North Berwick. Planners had recommended refusal of the application which includes a flat roofed dormer extension, new windows and a terrace and glazed balustrade, as it was felt the dormer extension would radically change the appearance of the building and would be harmful to the character and appearance of the building and not in keeping with the Conservation Area. However, after a debate, the majority of the committee members felt that the building was in need of refurbishment and the plans would actually constitute an enhancement.

Members also unanimously approved the variation of a condition to existing planning permission granted to Seagreen Wind Energy for infrastructure and cabling on part of the former Cockenzie Power Station site. The condition now allows for various techniques to be explored, in accordance with environmental conditions, for the installation of a subsea cable where it meets the Cockenzie site.