New house next to historic wall gets green light despite concern

Plans for a new house next to a historic boundary marking out the site of an East Lothian battle have been approved after councillors ruled it was on the right side of the wall.

An application to build a three-bedroom home next to part of the three-metre-high stone wall which marks key parts of the Battle of Prestonpans area and the edge of the town’s conservation area had sparked objections from its community council and local residents.

However, a meeting of East Lothian Council’s planning committee was told the proposed site of the house was outwith the conservation area as it was on the other side of the wall.

Prestonpans Community Council chairperson DJ Johnston-Smith argued that, despite being outwith the conservation area, the new house would have an unacceptable impact on the character of the protected part of the town.

He said the report by planning officers recommending approval of the application took ‘great pains’ to stress it was not within the conservation area.

And he pointed out a similar application four years ago in Gullane, for a retrospective development had ruled that an application did not have to be within its conservation area to have an impact on it.

He said, on that occasion, the official’s report read: “It is stated in Scottish planning policy that proposed developments within conservation areas and outwith which will impact on its appearance should preserve the character and appearance on the conservation area.”

Mr Johnston-Smith asked councillors: “Is the planning department’s position that this only applies in Gullane? I hope not.”

He said: “This development undeniably represents the loss of an important spacial gap at the edge of the conservation area, there is insufficient assessment into the important contribution that gap makes to the character and setting of that conservation area and the importance of its contribution to the battle site.”

Two neighbours raised their objections to the committee, both citing concerns about road safety as it adds more cars to the busy road.

Local ward councillor Neil Gilbert had called in the application for consideration by the committee, telling them: “Regardless of the views involved, I consider a proposal of this sensitivity and significance should be properly debated.”

Fellow ward councillor Colin Yorkston, however, told the meeting he supported the application, and he pointed out the plans were similar to housing already built on the conservation side of the wall.

He said: “It is not part of the conservation area and I have listened to the argument about the potential impact it would have on it. I am of the opinion it does not constitute overdevelopment, and I don’t believe the townscape would be adversely affected.”

Councillors approved the plans for the house on Polwarth Terrace by ten votes to one, with only Councillor Gilbert against the application.