Noodle bus to be based at East Linton Mart

Plans to site the vehicle, which will be transformed into a noodle bar, at East Linton Mart were given the go-ahead by East Lothian Council.

The approval came despite two objections, including from the local community council.

Dunbar-based company Wok N Go Noodle Bar plans to transform the ground floor of the bus into a kitchen and food preparation area.

Upstairs will be used by customers, with the bus capable of serving 30 diners.

Plans suggest the bus would be open from 4.30pm to 10pm between Sunday and Thursday, and open an hour later on Fridays and Saturdays.

The bus would also be open from noon to 10pm during the Sunday Market at The Mart, off Station Road.

Concerns about the plans included that the bright yellow bus was not in keeping with the historic site and a lack of detail about how the venture would operate.

But the council planning officer’s report noted: “The proposed bus for use as a noodle bar would be positioned on the site such that by virtue of the positioning and orientation of the windows and doors on it would not give rise to any harmful overlooking of any nearby residential properties.

“Given the proposed noodle bar is to be located within a double-decker bus which is not designed for permanent use or permanent siting and it is to be located within a prominent location within East Linton, it would be prudent for any grant of planning permission for it to be for a temporary period.”

A condition has been attached to the planning permission which states that permission has been given for two years, although this could be extended.

The historic auction mart was traditionally a bustling agricultural centre for East Linton.

However, in recent years it has been transformed and become home to The Mart Farm Shop and Cafe and also Viarama, which is Scotland’s first virtual reality company and social enterprise.

In addition, regular farmers’ markets are held at the site, as well as car boot sales, coffee mornings and classes.