Plans for flats above Musselburgh Farmfoods store approved with outdoor space on roof

Former storage space above a town centre Farmfoods store is set to be turned into one-bedroom flats.

The new development will see the 1970’s flat-roofed building on Musselburgh High Street, given a “green roof” to provide some outdoor space to the new housing.

Agents Format Design said a first floor deck would be “landscaped to provide a green roof to add to the amenity of the future occupiers”.

A report by planning officers said planning permission had been initially sought for six flats but had been changed to four flats in what had been office and storage space on the first floor of the Farmfoods shop.

It said: “The four flats would each be a one bed flat. Two of the four flats would have access to private garden ground.

“The courtyard area is proposed to be landscaped to provide a green roof element and areas of open space for the flats. A centrally positioned rear door will provide access to a shared lobby for the four flats.”

The agents describe the building as “of limited architectural merit, dating from around 1970″ but acknowledge it is a protected shopping frontage within a designated town centre”.

But they said there would be little impact on the high street with most changes at the rear of the building adding the addition of windows into the blank upper floor façade would enhance the look of it.

Approving the flats the planning officers said there had been no public objections to the plans but one letter of representation had been received raising concerns about the impact on a right of way.

However they said access was a legal matter between the applicant and neighbours.