CONTROVERSIAL proposals to develop the Glebe car park in North Berwick will not now go ahead after an appeal to the Scottish Government was dismissed.

A Scottish Government reporter dismissed an appeal on East Lothian Council's decision to refuse planning permission for "residential development, covered parking, formation of new vehicular access and extension to car park".

At a meeting of the planning committee in March, members voted 10-2 in favour of backing planners' recommendations to refuse the application for the addition of nine apartments and an extension to the existing car park.

That decision was appealed by the applicant, former North Berwick community councillor Jake Scott, but the appeal was this week thrown out.

In explaining the decision, government reporter Andrew Sikes said: "I consider the main issues in this appeal to be the effect of the proposed development on Glebe House and its setting, the character and appearance of the North Berwick conservation area, the loss of open space, trees and residential amenity.

"The proposed development is contrary to the relevant provisions of the development plan; it would neither preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the North Berwick conservation area, would result in the loss of protected open space, and have an adverse impact upon residential amenity."

Mr Sikes added that there were "no material considerations that would justify the grant of planning permission."