SIXTEEN letters of support have not been enough to help transform “an unsightly eyesore” in the East Lothian countryside.

Proposals for a four-bedroom property, along with a triple garage with accommodation above, were turned down by East Lothian Council’s planning department at the end of last week.

Planning officials noted David McMillan’s plans for land next to the former Willow Rise, between Whittingehame and Stenton, had attracted more than a dozen letters of support.

Seven reasons were given for refusal, including that the proposed dwelling would have “an unacceptable adverse impact on the historic interest of the parkland which forms an integral part of the setting of the category A listed Whittingehame House”.

Planning officials also felt the development would “harm” the parkland landscape character and that the overall appearance of “a large modern house” had been “designed without reference to its historic context”.

The report read: “This design would be more appropriate within a modern housing estate and fails to understand the context of the designed landscape and the built structures within the Whittingehame Estate.”

Drawings with the application show a lounge, dining room, kitchen and en-suite bathroom, as well as a utility room.

Upstairs features two further en-suite bedrooms alongside the master bedroom and lounge, a dressing room and bathroom.

A garage capable of housing three cars, with a spiral staircase to accommodation above, is also included in the proposals.

Upstairs features a single bedroom, with a lounge/kitchen and a shower room.

Planning officials noted there had been 16 letters of support.

One comment stated: “We are in a housing crisis and the land needs major development.”

Other comments included that it was a “superb design” and would “turn the whole thing from an unsightly eyesore to a very desirable property being mindful of fauna and wildlife”.