A COUNCILLOR has apologised “unreservedly” after he described elderly people moving into his home town as a “burden” on the community.

Labour councillor Jim Goodfellow, 67, made the comments as plans to build 41 flats for retired people were being debated by East Lothian Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.

He voiced concern at the prospect of more retired people moving into North Berwick saying, “There is a burden with elderly people – elderly people put additional stress on the care system when they move into a community.” Councillor Goodfellow’s comments were described at the meeting by Councillor Stuart Currie, leader of the SNP opposition, as “shocking” and they were later condemned by leading charity Age Scotland as ‘misleading’.

And after the meeting, Councillor Currie said: “I think most people in the committee were shocked to hear such an extreme view come from a senior Labourc ouncillor.” The planning committee was discussing an application from McCarthy and Stone, who specialise in retirement properties, to build the flats alongside business units on the site of the former Ben Sayers Factory at Tantallon Road and Heugh Road in the town.

North Berwick Coastal ward councillor Mr Goodfellow said he would be objecting to the plans on the grounds it was on the last available piece of industrial land in the town, and would have a negative impact on the local economy.

However, he raised additional concerns about the potential influx of more retired residents to North Berwick.

The committee was told that the developers had a 60 years minimum age for people who wanted to buy the flats.

Mr Goodfellow said: “Our (GP) surgery is at breaking point and it is virtually impossible to find extra care assistants in North Berwick – we can’t bring more elderly people into the town.” During the debate, Councillor Norman Hampshire (Lab), committee chairman, insisted Mr Goodfellow’s comments were not meant as “a derogatory remark about elderly people”.

He said: “We have a real issue in East Lothian looking after the older people and accommodation like this will attract more elderly people to North Berwick.” And referring to a previous planning committee meeting when Dr Claire Doldon, from North Berwick Health Centre, spoke, he added: “We had a GP in this chamber say they are struggling to cope with the elderly people. We need more resources in place.” Age Scotland, the leading national authority on older people, said: “Any suggestion that older people are a burden on society is misleading.

“Older people are an asset, not a burden – demographic change creates a challenge but these shifts also offer a potential solution in that older people, in many cases, provide far more care and support than they receive.” Mr Currie said after Tuesday’s meeting: “In my view, and in the view of SNP councillors, older people make a huge contribution, and enrich our communities. To hear them being described as bringing a ‘burden’ is simply disgraceful.” On Wednesday, Mr Goodfellow told the Courier that he regretted his comments.

He said in a statement: “On reflection I accept that the language used in the heat of the moment was inappropriate and I apologise unreservedly to all my constituents, and particularly older ones, for any offence caused.

“What was said in no way reflects my long-held view on the older population of East Lothian, who make an incredibly valuable contribution to our local communities, including the North Berwick Coastal ward.” Mr Goodfellow also expressed his dismay at SNP opposition leader Mr Currie’s response to his comments, saying: “I am saddened Councillor Currie sees fit to want to use a genuine mistake on my part for his own political ends.” Mr Goodfellow, who is convenor of East Lothian Licensing Board and a former chairman of North Berwick Community Council, is a former principal teacher of chemistry at North Berwick High School, as well as a member of the management committee of the town’s community centre.

The plans were approved, with only Mr Goodfellow and fellow North Berwick councillor Dave Berry voting against.

He objected on the grounds of the loss of industrial land and accused the developers of being “disingenuous”.