NINE out of 10 people who took part in a survey over plans to create a temporary car park on a much-loved beauty spot were against the proposal.

East Lothian Council suspended plans to put up to 80 spaces on Elcho Green, North Berwick, last week – as part of efforts to keep people safe from coronavirus – met a wave of protests.

The local authority pledged to hold a public consultation on its proposals.

The SNP Group on the council launched its own survey of local residents to gauge opinion following the outcry and revealed that more than 91 per cent of those who took part came out against it.

In total, 538 people took part in the survey, which asked: “Do you support the proposals from East Lothian Council relating to the use of Elcho Green as an alternative car parking facility?”.

Councillor Stuart Currie, SNP Group leader, said the overwhelming response was ‘no’.

He said: “It is abundantly clear from the response to this survey, from public conversation, and from the hundreds of emails I have had on this issue that a car park on Elcho Green is not what the people of North Berwick want from the Spaces for People programme.

“The council should now confirm that this will not happen now or in the future.

“What is clear from the comments is that people understand the need for effective temporary solutions to the combination of tourism and social distancing. There are over 400 comments and suggestions that have been submitted as part of this survey.

“We will take some time to analyse the comments and we will engage with council officers to ensure these comments are part of the thinking.

“The fact is that the summer period in the North Berwick Coastal area has become a major event in itself.

“In the same way that major events, such as the Open Championship, are planned with groups from the community, councillors, the police, council and many others, it is time for this to happen for this area and that planning should begin in January each year.

“We have produced word clouds of the most common comments from the survey – ‘green’ and ‘space’ were the two most common words.

“North Berwick is a fantastic part of this county and our country – for tourism and leisure but it is also a place where people live, and building more and more car parks will only mean more and more cars that no one can cope with.

“What is now required is a long-term solution that respects residents, helps ensure sustainable tourism and businesses and jobs, but also protects the fragile environment that we are all privileged to enjoy.”

Kenny MacAskill (SNP), East Lothian MP, also welcomed the results of the survey, saying: “I support council colleagues in their work to find a solution to this issue.

“As it is, the proposal is not something I would have supported had I been asked.

“It’s great to see the level of response from the community.

“This is a council issue, but I’m happy to support the community to get to a suitable outcome.”

A council spokesperson said: “Spaces for People proposals continue to be discussed with a range of stakeholders in our local communities.”