MORE than 70 solar panels have been given the go-ahead to provide renewable energy to a category B listed house on the outskirts of Gifford.

East Lothian Council approved the scheme from applicant Anna Dalrymple for land north west of Broadwoodside on the village’s Station Road.

No objections were received from members of the public, with the 74 panels to be put on agricultural ground.

The planning officer’s report noted that the field was bounded to the south by dense trees and the solar panels would not be visible in public views.

According to the planning officer: “Due to its relatively small size and scale in comparison to the larger extent of land that would remain unaltered, and due to its relatively close proximity to the existing garden serving the house, the proposed use of the area of agricultural land for the siting of the solar panels on it would not appear incongruous or exposed within its landscape setting.

“It would not harm the setting of the house, a listed building, nor would it harm the setting of locally designated garden and designed landscape of Broadwoodside.”