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.
Plans for two retail units, potentially for Lidl & B&M, were called off the Scheme of Delegation List by Councillors Collins and McIntosh. Four objections were received raising a number of concerns, including increased traffic and potential impact on the town centre. Following a debate councillors voted eight to one to approve the development, with an additional condition that signage advertising the town centre be approved and in place before the new shops opened for business, to support and promote the vitality of Dunbar Town Centre.
Plans for a drive-thru coffee shop, potentially Starbucks, next to McDonald’s in Dunbar were called off the Scheme of Delegation List by Councillors Collins and McIntosh. The plans, from Hallhill Developments and Mungo Park Ltd, are for a coffee shop with parking and outside seating which will be open for seven days from 6am to 10pm and will employ 20 staff. No written representations were received although Dunbar Community Council did object to the plans due to concerns about pedestrian access from Spott Road. Following a debate, committee members voted seven to two in favour of the plans.
Planning permission in principle has been granted unanimously for a new Primary School at Old Craighall. In October 2019, permission was granted for a mixed use development including housing, employment land and the school. Committee members approved the outline plans for the two storey school building and sports pitches. The school will accommodate 420 pupils and 64 staff, with the nursery accommodating 100 two to five-year-olds. No objections or comments were received in relation to the plans.
Committee members also voted unanimously to approve a new poultry shed at Howden Wood, Gifford, to the east of East Saltoun. The applicant, East Lothian Eggs Ltd, already has three poultry buildings on the farm there and are looking to expand due to the success of their business. The application approved today includes a poultry shed, egg packing facility, feeding silos and car parking. No consultees objected to the application, including SEPA and the council’s Senior Environmental Protection Officer. Two objections were received and these raised a number of concerns, including potential increased noise, odour and traffic in the area.
The relevant application numbers are: Dunbar, 21/01289/P and 22/00021/P; Gifford, 22/00239/P and Old Craighall, 22/00681/AMM and 18/00485/PPM.