PLANS to build 120 houses on the outskirts of Pencaitland have been rejected by East Lothian Council after residents said they would alter the character of the village.

Gladman Developments Limited had applied for permission to build the new homes on agricultural land at Lempockwells Road, but planning officials said that the plans were against council policy.

And residents who attended a meeting of the council’s planning committee last Tuesday pleaded with them to protect the village from overdevelopment.

One resident, Taryn Wallace, told the committee: “One of the things that struck me from talking to lots of people in the village about the development is how many people said they moved to Pencaitland specifically because it is a small rural village.

“Pencaitland is a conservation area and a beautiful example of a small East Lothian village.

“We are concerned that adding this development will destroy that.” Fellow resident Kenny Smith said that the proposed additional residents would mean the primary school would have to expand, losing its “tight-knit” feeling, and pointed out that part of the land earmarked for the development was regarded by those living near it as a secure place for their children to play.

The council received 63 letters objecting to the plans, including a petition with 17 signatures, with concerns regarding additional traffic, the impact on the character of the village, and loss of countryside among the issues raised.

Planning officials recommended that the committee reject the plans, saying the site had “no robust boundary”, which contravened the council’s current planning policy.

The committee voted unanimously to turn the application down.