AN ATTEMPT to reverse a council decision which blocked flats from being built in Longniddry has failed.

Seven flats were planned to replace a house at 37 King’s Road but the proposals were rejected by East Lothian Council’s planning committee at the end of last year.

The applicant – Mr R M Petrie – appealed the decision to the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA).

However, Scottish Government-appointed reporter Philip Barton has now upheld the decision taken in Haddington Town House and refused the plans.

Among the concerns raised was the increase in traffic which would be generated on the site and King’s Road.

Mr Barton said: “I find that the likely increase in vehicle movements generated by the proposal – both private cars and delivery vehicles – on a narrow road which forms part of a bus route and in close proximity to the junction of King’s Road with Campbell Road would result in a material increase in the risk of vehicle conflict, which would be detrimental to road safety.

“Adding to my concern in this respect is the potential for on-street parking to increase, especially during the early evening when the parking area would probably be closest to full capacity.”

The site is currently home to a two-storey house, which would have been demolished, with six three-bedroom flats and one four-bedroom flat built in its place.

The plans had attracted plenty of interest in the village and were called before the local authority’s planning committee in December by local ward councillors Lachlan Bruce and Neil Gilbert due to both the interest they had generated in the village and the number of representations.

Fifty-six written objections to the proposals were received, with concerns ranging from parking in the area to the size and scale of the proposed building.

Mr Bruce, who attended the meeting and voted to refuse the plans, was pleased to see the decision upheld.

He said: “At the planning committee meeting in December, it was argued, and agreed, that the application would have had a negative impact on the character and appearance of the area and that it would have a negative effect on road safety on King’s Road.

“I welcome the news that on both of those points the DPEA has agreed with the committee’s decision and decided against the appeal.”