THE Scottish Government plans to allow developers to build 52 houses at Old Craighall, despite East Lothian Council rejecting the proposals because they were against planning policy.

The proposed housing would see the Old Craighall community double in size, as Clarendon Planning and Development builds the new houses on 1.63 hectares of agricultural land to the east of Old Craighall Road.

The plans were denied permission when they came before the council’s planning committee in June last year, but a Scottish Government spokesperson has said the decision is among several being considered on appeal by ministers.

He said: “In relation to the Old Craighall proposal, Ministers are minded to grant consent, subject to proposed conditions and the satisfactory conclusion of a planning obligation to secure a financial contribution towards additional school accommodation at the local primary school and secondary school; the provision of affordable housing and; a financial contribution for enhancements to the local play park.” The plans were originally turned down by East Lothian Council because they contradicted their policy which required new builds to be proportional to existing settlements.

At the planning committee in June, Elaine Edwardson, from Old Craighall Residents and Tenants Association, told the committee the proposed development would “damage the hamlet of Old Craighall”.

She urged councillors to refuse the application, saying a survey of the community found most residents objected to the development.

A representative for the developers pointed to the fact that part of the site had been housing in the past and said the land was therefore a brown belt site.

A total of 32 objections were received, the majority from residents.

Following the council decision, Clarendon appealed to the Scottish Government.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, council cabinet spokesperson for environment, said: “There are a number of disappointing aspects to the Reporter’s recommendation and the Minister’s decision to accept that recommendation.

“The council is making progress towards a proposed Local Development Plan following the successful Main Issues Report public consultation and ad hoc decisions such as this do not help the process of public accountability for decision making or the council’s ability to shape the future development of East Lothian in a planned and sustainable way which brings other benefits to communities.

“The Reporter’s dismissal of the council’s Interim Guidance for Housing Land is a significant concern. The guidance represents the fundamental material planning considerations on which an application such as the one at Old Craighall should be assessed, with the assessment then weighed against the ‘national interest’ of releasing additional housing land.

“The Reporter’s dismissal of the Green Belt designation is also a primary concern. Neither the Reporter nor the Minister give weight to these or other local concerns.

“In these circumstances, the council is considering its options in respect of the Minister’s proposed decision.”