Second bid to build holiday homes in East Lothian countryside after plans thrown out

A second bid to build holiday let homes in the East Lothian countryside has been lodged despite the first being thrown out by councillors just two months ago.

Applicant M&C Fielding Developments Ltd saw their application for two three-bedroom homes for short-term holiday lets rejected by East Lothian Council in March after officers said it breached their policy against new homes in the countryside.

The application was the latest chapter in a 20-year battle to build on the land on the edge of the tiny Liberty Hall community, near Gladsmuir, and faced objections from locals who claimed it would more than double the population of the surrounding area.

At the meeting in March, the applicant said he had been told by planning officers he was more likely to get the holiday lets approved than residential units on the land.

But despite the advice, when he applied for the two holiday lets, officers recommended the proposals were refused, saying they constituted new homes in the countryside.

They warned that if the holiday let business failed the home owners could then apply for a change of use to residential, which was ‘unjustifiable’ in the rural setting.

Now the applicants have launched a fresh bid to have holiday homes approved, arguing that there is a need for short-term accommodation in East Lothian and their plans should not be judged in the same way as residential housing.

In a new planning statement, they state: “We believe that the earlier refusal of a near identical application came down chiefly to the conclusion that this was a new home in the countryside…it is not. The description of development is clear that this is a development to provide holiday accommodation and not a permanent home. ”

They point out the site was historically home to a farm workers cottage and the new development will fit in with the surrounding existing homes.

The application has been lodged on the council’s planning portal for viewing and comments to be made.