A plan to site a mobile snack van in the car park at Levenhall Links, a bird reserve near Musselburgh, has been approved by East Lothian Council.

The Friends of Musselburgh Links, who are campaigning to have the area declared an official Local Nature Reserve," said on Twitter that they were "sad" to learn of the decision.

They added: "This is not in keeping with a potential Local Nature Reserve."

A planning report said that the black coloured mobile snack van, proposed by Ms Michele Wirt, from Edinburgh, would be in the form of a trailer with service area, featuring a hatch on one side. It would be around 3.7 metres long and 1.6 metres wide.

The pitch has been offered by East Lothian Council Estates.

Levenhall Links, which is managed by the council, is one of the country’s most popular birdwatching spots and contains a bird reserve specifically created for the benefit of wildlife.

It is a designated Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) which is teeming with wildlife including oystercatchers, curlews, redshanks, grey plovers, willow warblers, shelducks and reed buntings and is an important roosting site for wading birds at high tide.

In the past it has hosted Scotland’s Big Nature Festival.

The planning report said: "Levenhall Links car park is one of a number of large coastal car parks which are used by a range of visitors including families, dog walkers and ramblers who wish to explore this part of East Lothian's coastline. It is therefore a popular coastal location within East Lothian. The proposed snack van is a business use that would serve visitors to the area who are participating in coastal and countryside activities based within this coastal area.

"Consequently the siting of the proposed snack van and the provision of food and drink from it would not be incompatible with this coastal location. Therefore, and as it would benefit and further the enjoyment of the visiting public, it is a use that would enable and enhance the attraction of the Prestonpans coast as a popular tourist area."

It said the car park was adjacent to but not in the Firth of Forth Special Protection Area, Ramsar site and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It was not within a conservation area.

Two litter bins, each with a self-closing lid, are to be provided next to the snack van.

Planning permission was granted for temporary period of three years.