A NORTH Berwick couple are pleading with Scottish Ministers to let them put bigger windows in their cottage... so the husband can fit in their bedroom.

The couple, who own a listed building cottage overlooking the beach in the coastal town, were refused planning permission to put a large dormer window in their first-floor bedroom.

East Lothian Council’s planners ruled the new window out as a “dominant and incongruous” feature in the beachside cottage.

However, in an appeal currently being investigated by a Scottish Government Reporter, representatives of the homeowners urged them to overrule the local authority.

They said the husband was “6’2” and can only manage to get into the bedroom but must crouch down to get around the bed without hitting his head on the coomb ceiling created by the small styled dormers”.

They added that replacing the current smaller dormer windows with one larger one would create a more “suitable” space for the couple.

They are also appealing against a decision to refuse permission to replace single glazing with double glazing in ground-floor rooms after realising they did not specify the new glass would be slimline double glazing.

Rejecting the planned changes to the cottage, which is on Victoria Road, the council’s planners said the dormer window would be visible from public views from West Bay beach, describing it as a radical change.

They said the category C Listed building had special architectural and historic interest.

The 19th-century cottage is listed as category C because of its lower eaves, which are deemed of special interest by Historic Environment Scotland.

It is one of a number of residential properties on the street which are listed.

The reporter is due to make a decision on the case by the middle of July.