CLAIMS that a furniture workshop has no links to forestry have been challenged after planners refused to grant permission for it to be built.

Iain Stirling was refused planning permission to build a new home for his business, Chapelhill Fine Furniture, on land at Bolton Muir Woods.

But while planners said that the workshop had no direct link to “agriculture, horticulture, forestry, infrastructure or countryside recreation”, agents for Dr Stirling disagreed.

In an appeal statement due to go before East Lothian Council’s local review body, they said: “To say that furniture making is not directly related to forestry is untrue.

"There is a clear historic connection between the forestry and furniture‐making industries: the former provides materials for the latter and, traditionally, furniture makers have been located in, or adjacent to, woodland.”

A graduate of the Chippendale International School of Furniture, Dr Stirling’s workshop would be near the school, on the outskirts of Gifford, and maintain links with it.

READ MORE: East Lothian craftsman seeks new home for furniture making firm

His agents said: “This is an excellent example of local community wealth building.

“Capitalising on the presence of The Chippendale School, the proposed workshop would enable the continued development of furniture making businesses in the Gifford area, creating employment and encouraging graduates to use their skills as a catalyst to establish their own business in the vicinity whilst maintaining and exploiting the proximity to and relationships with the school.”

In the appeal, it is pointed out that a house previously sat on the site proposed for the workshop and a previous application to build three holiday lodges on it was approved although never acted upon.

Planners refused permission on the grounds that it was not related to rural activity, would have a negative impact on the landscape of the site and “would result in the loss of a number of trees which positively contribute to the landscape character of the area and form part of an area of ancient woodland of Bolton Muir Wood”.

The review body will hear the appeal at a meeting next month.