AMBITIOUS plans for a cliff-top cafe with views over Bass Rock and Craigleith are being drawn up.

Stuart and Jo McNicol of Castleton Farm, east of North Berwick, have revealed details of the proposals, which would see Castleton Farm Coffeehouse created on cliffs between Glen Golf Club and Canty Bay.

The couple, along with Tony Thomas of East Linton’s APT Planning and Development, attended the town’s community council meeting last Tuesday where the project was discussed.

A planning application could be submitted later this year, which would allow members of the public the opportunity to see the plans as well as comment on them.

Mr Thomas said: “As has happened throughout East Lothian, Stuart is looking at options to diversify the farm with new income streams and what he can give back to the local community.”

Access to the proposed cafe, which would be housed in three shipping containers and cater for 40 covers, would come from an existing gate off the A198.

It is hoped vehicles would then not park along the coastal road, which links North Berwick to Tyninghame and onto the A199, causing any traffic hazards, and instead use a car park at the cafe. The plan is for the cafe to be open seven days a week, with opening hours between 9.30am and 6pm.

Home baking would be provided by Mrs McNicol while there are no plans at the moment for a drinks licence.

Mr Thomas added: “It is a well-trodden route to Tantallon Castle. “Whether it is buses, walking or cycling, there is no facility there.

“Having another destination would encourage walking and healthy living.

“The John Muir Way is close by and we have got passing traffic.”

Mr Thomas had a number of images which showed how the cafe would be viewed from various angles and distances.

He stressed to community councillors they were “nowhere close” to putting in a planning application, with it expected to be towards the end of the summer.

Community councillors elected not to take any view on the scheme, with further discussions likely to take place once a planning application has been submitted to East Lothian Council.

Hilary Smith, North Berwick Community Council chairwoman, said: “We would not be making a decision but we are very grateful for you coming along to talk to us about it.

“It give us a heads-up about what is potentially coming our way.”

The plans were revealed to the community council just hours after proposals to run a summer restaurant out of a converted shipping container on North Berwick’s West Bay beachfront were turned down by East Lothian’s councillors.

North Berwick businessman Stirling Stewart saw his proposals for The Green rejected by seven votes to three.

Councillors voiced concerns that approving the application would set a precedent.