Planning and building standards news

Cost of planning fees halved for health-related developments

Planning fees for health-related developments in the county have been reduced by half following a meeting of East Lothian Council on Tuesday (24 June).

Published 27th June 2025.

Scottish and UK Government investment sought to deliver Blindwells new town

East Lothian Council has agreed to ask for Scottish and UK Government support to help deliver Blindwells – Scotland’s first new large-scale settlement in 60 years.

Published 25th June 2025.

Plans approved for Blindwells town centre & 60 Council houses at Wallyford

East Lothian Planning Committee met on Wednesday 25 June and discussed various applications including plans for a local centre at Blindwells and 60 new Council homes in Wallyford

Published 25th June 2025.

Planning Committee approves first phase of homes at Herdmanflat

East Lothian Planning Committee met on Tuesday 6 May and discussed three applications, including 51 homes – phase one of development at the former Herdmanflat Hospital site in Haddington.

Published 6th May 2025.

Planning Committee approves holiday lodges at Whitekirk Hill

East Lothian Planning Committee met on Tuesday 1 April and discussed three applications, including the erection of 22 holiday lodges at Whitekirk Hill, North Berwick.

Published 1st April 2025.

Planning Committee grants permission for new flats in North Berwick

East Lothian Planning Committee met on Tuesday 4 March and heard three applications – two of which related to the former house and Golf Hotel at Dirleton Avenue, North Berwick.

Published 4th March 2025.

Planning Committee agrees consultation response to battery storage facility

East Lothian Planning Committee met on Tuesday 4th February and heard three applications including a battery storage facility at Cockenzie.

Published 4th February 2025.

Planning Committee approves new housing in Elphinstone

East Lothian Planning Committee met on Tuesday 14 January and approved plans for 103 new houses and eight flats on land to the north of Castlehill, Elphinstone.

Published 16th January 2025.

Planning Committee approves detail of 60 new homes at Wallyford

East Lothian Planning Committee met on Tuesday 3 December and approved plans for 60 affordable homes on the wider Wallyford expansion site.

Published 3rd December 2024.

Planning Committee approves skate park at Hallhill, Dunbar

East Lothian Planning Committee met on Tuesday 1 October and approved an application for a skate park and pump track at Hallhill, Dunbar.

Published 2nd October 2024.

Planning Committee agrees to object to a windfarm at Newlands Hill

East Lothian Planning Committee met on Tuesday 3 September and agreed to submit an objection to Scottish Ministers via the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit (ECU) in relation to a proposed windfarm at Newlands Hill.

Published 4th September 2024.

Planning Committee approves groundworks at Cockenzie power station site

East Lothian Planning Committee met on Tuesday 25 June and approved works at the former Cockenzie Power Station site.

Published 26th June 2024.

Planning Committee refuses permission for relocation of Family Park

East Lothian Planning Committee met on Tuesday 4th June and heard three applications including the relocation of East Links Family Park.

Published 5th June 2024.

Planning Committee approves detail of new homes at Windygoul South

East Lothian Planning Committee met on Tuesday 7 May and heard three applications including details of new housing at Windygoul South, Tranent, which already has planning permission in principle.

Published 7th May 2024.

Self-build housing register

The Scottish Government requires local planning authorities to prepare and publish a list of people seeking land for self-build housing in their area.

Published 12th March 2024.

Planning Committee approves energy infrastructure at Skateraw

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 5 December and considered one application for planning permission in principle for electricity transmission infrastructure between Skateraw and Branxton.

Published 6th December 2023.

Planning Committee approves new sports pitches at North Berwick High School

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met on Tuesday 7 November and considered two applications that had been called off the Scheme of Delegation list.

Published 8th November 2023.

Planning Committee approves chicken underpass

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 3 October and considered two applications that had been called off the Scheme of Delegation list.

Published 3rd October 2023.

Consultation on ‘Outdoor Play Sufficiency’ in East Lothian opens

Consultation opens to seek views on assessment of outdoor play provision across East Lothian

Published 3rd October 2023.

Planning Committee decisions August 2023

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 22 August and considered matters relating to three applications previously granted planning permission.

Published 22nd August 2023.

Double success for Civic Square project

Significant efforts to re-generate Prestonpans Civic Square have been recognised through a double success at the Scottish Design Awards 2023.

Published 3rd July 2023.

Cockenzie Power Station site redevelopment update

An update on redevelopment of the Cockenzie Power Station site was presented to elected members at Tuesday’s full meeting of East Lothian Council.

Published 27th June 2023.

Public engagement on Local Development Plan 2 to start

People in East Lothian are being given an opportunity to have their say in response to consultations focused on plans to support the council’s vision of an even more prosperous, safe and sustainable county, with a dynamic and thriving economy that enables people and communities to flourish.

Published 8th June 2023.

Planning Committee approves new homes at Longniddry

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 6th June and granted consent for 124 houses and six flats at Longniddry Farm, part of a wider site which has planning permission in principle for around 450 houses, some of which are already complete.

Published 6th June 2023.

Planning Committee approves subsea cables at Dunbar and new homes at Longniddry

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 2nd May and considered a number of applications.

Published 2nd May 2023.

New Discretionary Charges for the Planning Service introduced

At a meeting of East Lothian Council’s Cabinet last month, new discretionary charges for the Council’s Planning Service were agreed. These came into force on 1st April.

Published 5th April 2023.

Planning Committee decisions - 28 March 2023

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 28 March and approved a retrospective planning application for car parking at the Hopes Estate.

Published 28th March 2023.

Planning application submitted for Edinburgh Innovation Hub

Exciting plans for the Edinburgh Innovation Hub next to Queen Margaret University (QMU) have taken a step forward. The project already has planning permission in principle, but the full detail of the proposal has now been submitted to East Lothian Council for approval.

Published 23rd March 2023.

Planning Committee approves lighting at North Berwick restaurant

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 7th March and considered a retrospective application for lighting at The Rocketeer Restaurant. The lighting has been installed on the eaves & guttering around the property.

Published 7th March 2023.

Scheme to bring new life to Dunbar Conservation Area

The Dunbar Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) launched this week, with over £1million of funding to improve the historic town centre.

Published 27th January 2023.

Planning Committee refuses permission for new homes in Tranent

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 10th January and considered a number of applications, including a new primary school at Whitecraig and new houses and business units at Windygoul, Tranent.

Published 10th January 2023.

Planning Committee approves Lidl, B&M and Starbucks at Dunbar

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 1st November and considered a number of applications, including two for new businesses next to McDonalds and Dunbar Garden Centre.

Published 1st November 2022.

Planning Committee considers Dunbar Golf Club application

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 4 October and granted permission for a development at Dunbar Golf Club.

Published 4th October 2022.

Fourth year of delivery for Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Region Deal

Annual report published highlighting progress in a range of projects including the Edinburgh Food & Drink Innovation Hub at QMU.

Published 23rd September 2022.

Planning Committee rejects new flats in garden ground at Gullane

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 6th September and considered two applications – one involving the construction of flats in the garden ground of a Gullane house.

Published 6th September 2022.

Planning Committee approves extension to Bayswell Hotel

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 16th August and considered a number of applications, including an extension to Dunbar’s Bayswell Hotel.

Published 16th August 2022.

Meet Shirley!

Shirley Curran manages developer contributions on behalf of East Lothian Council.

Published 13th July 2022.

Planning Committee approves new homes and infrastructure at Blindwells

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 7th June and considered a number of applications, including three relating to Blindwells.

Published 7th June 2022.

Council responds to draft National Planning Framework (NPF4)

East Lothian Council has agreed a response to be sent to the Scottish Government, giving the council’s views on the Draft National Planning Framework (NPF4).

Published 30th March 2022.

Planning Committee decisions March 2022

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 15th March and granted permission for a change to the number of homes & the layout of a Macktaggart and Mickel development on the wider Letham Mains site at Haddington.

Published 15th March 2022.

Planning Committee grants permission for final new homes at Hallhill

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 7th December and granted permission for 197 houses and 48 flats, as a final phase of the wider development at Hallhill, Dunbar.

Published 7th December 2021.

East Lothian Council reaction to draft NPF4

As the Scottish Government has now published its 4th draft National Planning Framework (known as NPF4), Council Leader Norman Hampshire has broadly welcomed the document.

Published 17th November 2021.

Regional Prosperity Framework

At a full council meeting this week, East Lothian Council ratified the final Regional Prosperity Framework (RPF), covering Edinburgh and South East Scotland.

Published 17th November 2021.

Planning Committee grants permission for snack van at Longniddry Bents

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 2nd November and granted permission for a snack van to be sited at Longniddry Bents Car Park No.1.

Published 2nd November 2021.

Planning Committee approves crematorium for East Lothian

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 5th October and considered various applications, including plans for a crematorium at Old Craighall.

Published 5th October 2021.

Planning Committee grants outline permission for a substation at Cockenzie

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 17th August and considered a number of applications including an electricity substation on the former Cockenzie Power Station site.

Published 17th August 2021.

Planning Committee approves extra years for Markle Quarry

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 29th June and considered an application from D Geddes Ltd to extend operations at Markle Quarry for an extra 14 years.

Published 30th June 2021.

Planning Committee decides on steading redevelopment at Garvald & conversion of Dunbar Assembly Rooms

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 30th March and considered a number of applications.

Published 30th March 2021.

Report to Council sets out progress on options for Cockenzie Power Station site and surrounds

Councillors will discuss the report at their meeting on Tuesday 23 February.

Published 16th February 2021.

Planning Committee decides on Blindwells & North Berwick home applications

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 12th January and considered two applications.

Published 13th January 2021.

Planning Committee grants permission for care village at Inveresk

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 3rd November and considered an application for a new care village at Inveresk, Musselburgh and a new house in the garden ground of a Gifford cottage.

Published 4th November 2020.

Planning Committee grants permission for almost 300 new homes at Letham Mains, Haddington

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 6th October and considered an application for 232 houses and 42 flats on part of the wider Letham Mains site in Haddington.

Published 6th October 2020.

Final month of ClimatEvolution consultation

The public consultation on plans to ensure a major area of change in the county can become a national example of environmentally-friendly and inclusive development, is due to close at the end of this month.

Published 16th September 2020.

Planning Committee grants extension to timescale of Dunbar landfill site

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met remotely on Tuesday 1st September and considered an application to extend the date by which the landfill site at Oxwell Mains, near Dunbar, must be restored.

Published 1st September 2020.

Permission refused for Musselburgh McDonalds & North Berwick care village

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met via Skype on Tuesday 18th August.

Published 18th August 2020.

Making it easier for individuals and groups to respond to ClimatEvolution consultation

A public consultation is underway on plans to ensure a major area of development in the county can become a national example of environmentally-friendly and inclusive development.

Published 7th July 2020.

Planning committee grants permission for a new housing development in Macmerry

East Lothian Council’s Planning Committee met via Skype on Tuesday 24th June and considered a number of applications, including one for 122 houses and 20 flats at Main Road, Macmerry.

Published 24th June 2020.

Council approves design standards for new housing in East Lothian

East Lothian Council, under its emergency recess procedures, has approved a document which sets out design standards for new housing developments in East Lothian, including ensuring developments are as close to carbon neutral as possible and take into account biodiversity and the environment.

Published 28th May 2020.

Planning decision on equipment testing facility, Cockenzie

East Lothian Council’s planning committee today (18 December) refused an application from space technologies company Skyrora Limited.

Published 18th December 2019.

Naming East Lothian’s new town

Blindwells has been approved as the name of East Lothian’s new settlement.

Published 17th December 2019.

Planning committee meeting 5 November 2019

Planning committee members have approved an application that will see solar panels installed within Dunbar’s conservation area.

Published 6th November 2019.

Planning committee decisions 1 October 2019

Two applications to develop single houses in Musselburgh and Ormiston were refused at a planning committee meeting today.

Published 1st October 2019.

East Lothian school pupils to help choose name for East Lothian's new town

East Lothian primary and secondary school pupils have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to help choose the name for the county's first ever new town.

Published 6th September 2019.

Planning committee grants full permission for new homes at Saltcoats Field, Gullane

East Lothian Council's Planning Committee has granted full permission for new homes on a site at the southern side of Gullane.

Published 3rd September 2019.

Planning committee decides on housing developments, quarry extension & windfarm substation

Planning permission in principle has been granted for a residential development at Windygoul South, Tranent, including open space, a sports pitch and space for the expansion of the existing Windygoul Primary School. The land is on the southern edge of Tranent, and has been allocated in the Local Development Plan for around 550 homes.

Published 28th June 2019.

Town Centre Strategies get green light from Scottish Ministers

East Lothian’s town centres are a key element of the area’s economic and social future, and are hubs for all of our communities. Because of the importance of our town centres, supplementary guidance has been prepared as an addition to the recently adopted East Lothian Local Development Plan 2018 (ELLDP)

Published 3rd June 2019.

Demolition work to start at old coal store site, Cockenzie