PLANNING officials have been accused of “missing an opportunity” when they negotiated the design of affordable housing which has been approved for a new development in North Berwick.

Councillor David Berry, ward councillor for the area, claimed the housing would be the “gateway into the new development” but instead of making an impression appeared to have been “plonked” on the land.

Speaking as East Lothian Council’s planning committee approved plans for 77 affordable houses and 28 flats on land at Mains Farm, Mr Berry said: “This is the gateway into these houses, why has there not been something special done? They look like they’ve just been plonked there.”

However, his criticism was rejected by Keith Dingwall, East Lothian Council’s principal planner, who told Mr Berry: “I will absolutely insist the houses were not just plonked there.”

Councillors welcomed the move to build the affordable housing in the first stage of a development which will eventually see more than 420 houses on the land.

The application, which was submitted by Cruden Homes East Ltd and North Berwick Trust, covers a section of the land bounded to the north by Grange Road.

It proposed splitting the housing into two groups – 55 of them in a central part of the site and 50 in the north east section – and will include a range of semi-detached, terraced and flats, including 16 one-bedroom residential units.

Two written objections to the plans were received and referred to plans to build a two-storey semi-detached building at the edge of the plot, which was described as being “too high and obtrusive”.

The committee was told developers had been working with planning officials and had altered the design of the housing which had sparked concern but had stopped short of objectors’ requests it should be single-storey. When asked why the single storey properties could not be placed in the corner of the site, developers told the committee: “They are most likely going to be used by people with disabilities who will be better served in the central part of the development.”

Mr Berry expressed disappointment at the design of the housing, telling the committee: “This will be a showcase, whether we like it or not, but we have missed an opportunity.”

Ward councillors Berry and Councillor Tim Day both raised concern about the junction approaching the site, which they described as a blind corner, and called for more safety moves to be made to improve it.

However, councillors unanimously approved the plans. Councillor Jim Goodfellow, ward councillor, said: “I welcome this development, it is good to see affordable housing being put in at an early stage of development rather than being tagged on at the end. It will make a difference to North Berwick.”

Mr Day added the affordable housing was “much-needed” in the town.

The committee also approved plans by Cala Management Limited for 110 houses on the farm land.

The housing would, Cala said, be a mix of 54 three-bedroomed homes, 39 four-bedroomed and 17 five bedroom properties.

Councillor Berry welcomed the additional development adding: “This is an opportunity to have a variety of homes.”