PROPOSALS for a Haddington takeaway, turned down by East Lothian Council, have been given the go-ahead on appeal by a Scottish Government Reporter.

East Lothian Council’s planning committee turned down a retrospective planning application for 81 High Street in October last year.

Plans to transform a shop into a restaurant and hot food takeaway were approved four years ago but the planning permission has since lapsed.

Moves to turn the business into solely a takeaway were unanimously rejected by councillors before applicant Orhan Yildirim and Chalmers and Co took the matter to the Scottish Government on appeal.

Last Tuesday, Lorna McCallum, Reporter, moved for Marmaris to be given the go-ahead.

Mr Yildirim was delighted with the news and told the Courier: “We are happy to be here and to serve the customers and serve quality food.

“We just want to thank the customers who have supported us.”

Mrs McCallum considered various issues, including the potential noise impact on neighbouring properties and also the impact on surrounding homes, during the appeal process.

She also noted other takeaways on the street but added: “I find that the separation between the other hot food takeaways and the appeal property are sufficient to avoid any significant cumulative effect."

In conclusion, she said: “Drawing together all of the above and taking account of the potential for cumulative effect of an additional takeaway, I am satisfied that, subject to appropriate conditions, the development can operate without causing harm to local amenity.

“I also find that the development preserves the listed building and any special features of historic or architectural interest which it possesses and preserves the conservation area.”

Councillor John McMillan, Haddington and Lammermuir ward member, had originally called for the application to be considered by the local authority’s planning committee.

At the time, he said: “I have never, in all my three years of being elected, had so many people at surgeries or in the street contacting me to comment – and to comment adversely – on this development.”

The councillor stood by the original decision to reject the scheme but wished Mr Yildirim well in the business, which has remained open throughout the appeal.

He said: “I still feel that it is not what was originally intended on the site and there is a cumulative impact of a lot of takeaways but the reporter decided, so I wish them well in the business. I have always wanted a vibrant High Street but in my opinion the mix was not right.”