THERE was heated debate at a meeting of North Berwick Community Council as members of the public once more voiced their objections to a highly controversial planning application in the town.

Plans have been lodged with East Lothian Council for a nine-metre extension to the car park at Marine Parade, which would involving building over part of the town’s East Beach.

A petition was set up against the proposals, which now has received more than 5,000 signatures.

East Lothian Council’s planning committee was due to decide on the application last month, but deferred the decision for further consideration.

A group of about 10 local residents attended the most recent meeting of the community council this month, where Clare Devereux, the woman behind the petition, gave a presentation.

She urged the community council, which has previously backed the controversial application, to “reconsider its position given the groundswell of opinion from the people of North Berwick”.

She also asked David Kellock, NBCC chairman, to write to the local authority expressing the views of the people of the town, and to “support the introduction of a more robust consultation on the matter”.

She criticised the local authority for a “lack of consultation and representation” ahead of the submission of the application.

However, the community council stuck to its decision not to object to the plans.

All three local ward councillors – Tim Day, Jim Goodfellow and David Berry – sit on East Lothian Council’s planning committee so were not able to participate fully in the community council debate.

“I need to be careful what I say here,” Mr Berry told the community council.

Members of the public, many of whom have signed the petition, gave their views at the meeting, which also heard from environmental charity Fidra.

One woman said: “Let us not forget this is also an environmental issue – this is our beach. We have someone who is a bit of an expert on that topic here tonight.

“Lots of people do not want this car park built for a variety of reasons, but there is an environmental aspect to it as well.”

Local ward councillor Tim Day said: “We need to find somewhere that is agreeable to increase the provision of car parking.

“Every time there is a site suggested, there is a groundswell of opinion from local residents.”

The car park and associated work is expected to cost £350,000 if it is given the go-ahead by the committee, which meets next month.