Planning Committee agrees infrastructure detail for Berwick Bank Wind Farm

Committee members unanimously approved the application, which set out the detail of the electricity cables and associated infrastructure on land between Skateraw and Branxton, which makes up the onshore connection of the windfarm, in accordance with a condition set out in planning consent granted in December 2023. The offshore windfarm was granted consent by Scottish Ministers in July 2025. One objection had been received to the proposals raising concern about potential road safety issues and noise.

Two homes for holiday lets at Liberty Hall, Gladsmuir were refused planning consent. Plans for single houses on the site had previously been refused in 1993, 2006 and 2022. A total of eight objections were received, with concerns including over-development, noise and antisocial behaviour. The application was called off the Scheme of Delegation List by Councillor McMillan to explore the tourism and economic development benefits. Following a debate, members voted 11 to one to refuse consent.

Committee also granted consent to demolish one house at Briar Cottage, Templar Place, Gullane and approved a replacement building. Both applications for the Conservation Area Consent for demolition and the erection of the new house were called off the Scheme of Delegation List by Councillor Findlay due to the level of local objections over the demolition of an old building in a conservation area.

Committee heard that Briar Cottage is a single storey pitched roof house with attic accommodation in its roof space and a two-story flat roofed extension to the rear, on the north side of Templar Place, Gullane, dating from the 19th century. The house is not listed as being of special architectural or historic interest but is located within the Gullane Conservation Area. The applicant intends to demolish the existing property, which is in a state of disrepair, and replace it with a two-storey house with outbuilding. A total of 16 representations were received for the erection of the new house, 13 of which were objections. Eight representations were received in relation to the demolition proposals, of which six were objections. Concerns mainly related to the loss of a building in the Conservation Area and a potential over development of the site. Historic Environment Scotland were consulted but did not object to the demolition plans. Following a debate, consent for demolition was granted nine votes to two and consent for the new build was granted seven votes to five.

Consent was granted for construction of a new house on land north of Speedwell House, Main Road, Dirleton. Planners had recommended refusal of the application but it was called off the Scheme of Delegation List by Councillor Findlay for debate at committee due to the planning history of the site and its position within the community. Previous applications for housing development on the site were refused as the proposed development would be a conspicuous and incongruous outward extension of Dirleton, harmful to the form, character and appearance of the village and of the Conservation Area and would not preserve or enhance the special architectural or historic character or appearance of the Dirleton Conservation area. Four letters of objection were received, raising concerns about increased traffic, access issues and noise. Following a debate, consent for the single storey house was granted 11 votes to one with councillors noticing reductions in scale and design changes from previous applications and therefore not considering it to be incongruous or conspicuous as before.

Alterations to a building at Hunter Steading, Innerwick, were unanimously refused following a debate. The applicant had proposed increasing the size of a door on the A-listed building and installing patio doors. One objection had been received to the plans, concerned that they would harm the special interest of the listed steading. The application had been called off the Scheme of Delegation by Councillor Collins for assessment by the committee.

Permission was refused for the siting of a mobile snack van at the site of the Original Factory Shop at Muirpark, Tranent. Planners had recommended approval but the plans were called off the Scheme of Delegation by Councillor McGinn due to neighbours’ concerns. One objection had been received. The application was refused on a vote of seven to four due to concerns about road safety and the impact on the amenity of the area.  

The relevant application numbers are: Skateraw, 25/01386/AMM and  23/00162/PPM; Gladsmuir, 25/01055/P; Gullane, 24/00811/P and 24/00810/CAC; Direlton, 25/00388/P; Innerwick, 25/01358/LBC and Tranent, 25/01302/P.