Questions over the number of parking spaces set aside for 60 new council homes in Tranent were raised after a councillor asked why officers assumed tenants would not have more than one car.

East Lothian Council's planning committee reconvened via Skype for the first time since lockdown earlier today and approved plans for 32 houses and 28 flats to be built on Windygoul South in the town.

However, Councillor John Williamson raised concern over the decision to only demand one parking space per dwelling.

Normal council policy would require 1.5 spaces for small homes and up to 2.25 spaces for larger ones.

Mr Williamson told council officers: "Lots of people whether in affordable homes or private homes have more than one car; why are we allowing just 100 per cent parking spaces?"

And he pointed to new housing in his Musselburgh ward where he said a similar decision had been taken and cars were now parked "all over the road".

Council officers told the committee that they had the ability to demand fewer car parking spaces with affordable homes which were housing association or council-owned.

They said: "It reflects the lower car ownership."

A planning officer added: "We are able to reduce parking with housing association and affordable housing. We have used this approach many times in affordable housing schemes."

The committee approved the plans lodged by Springfield Properties as part of the affordable phase of a larger development at Windygoul South where it is expected around 550 homes will be built.

Members were told the 60 new properties housing would be taken on by the council once built.

They will be built in the north eastern part of the wider Windygoul South site, in an area bounded to the west by woodland and existing housing on George Grieve Way.

Councillor Colin McGinn, ward member for Tranent, Wallyford and Macmerry, welcomed the addition of affordable housing but raised concerns about the impact of additional traffic on the town centre.

He called for the council to look at bringing forward proposals for a Tranent bypass, which has been discussed in the past.

Mr McGinn said: "I believe now is the time to look at the bypass."