A planned parking consultation will be “very different” in Prestonpans compared to North Berwick, according to one of the town’s ward councillors.

At the most recent meeting of Prestonpans Community Council, Councillor Colin Yorkston suggested that a consultation on parking charges in Prestonpans, similar to North Berwick, could take place in October or November this year.

Residents and business owners will be asked for their thoughts on parking in the town, with plans then made on how to better manage parking within Prestonpans.

In North Berwick, plans were made to introduce four controlled parking zones, with permits available for residents for an annual charge and time restrictions and charges for on-street parking and parking within the town centre car parks.

The consultation in North Berwick drew hundreds of objections and saw a petition with more than 4,000 signatures produced.

Mr Yorkston said that the consultation would be different in Prestonpans.

He said: “North Berwick High Street is very different to Prestonpans.

“In North Berwick you have a shop and then another shop, here it is different. You have a mix of shops and property, so the consultation will be very different here.

“I believe the consultation will roll out in October/November this year, businesses and residents will have the chance to have their say.”

Community councillor Ferhan Ashiq said he believed any restrictions on parking in the town would have a big impact on businesses.

He said: “I think you can get away with it in the big cities and towns. Here in Prestonpans we have limited tourists.

“If I was a business owner here, I would be opposing this because I think it would have a huge impact.”

DJ Johnston-Smith, community council chair, insisted that efforts continued to be made to improve Prestonpans as a tourist destination, citing the development at Preston Tower as evidence of this.