PLANS for a controversial car park in the Lammermuir Hills could get the green light from councillors next week.

A car park for 20 vehicles was created near Hopes Reservoir in summer 2020.

However, the introduction of gates and a permit system has been questioned by a number of people.

Thirty-nine letters of objection were sent to the council, with a further 10 letters received after the deadline for comments.

A variety of concerns were outlined, including that the car park had caused local parking issues, the introduction of a permit system was “restrictive and discriminatory”, and signage associated with the car park was “intimidating and misleading”.

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According to the planning officer’s report: “The works concluded in June 2020 but there is a strong likelihood that they will require further work and need this facility again in the future.

“Following completion of the works, and in light of there being no parking provision (with associated adverse impacts on Scottish Water and agricultural operations by inconsiderate parking by the public at the end of the public road) in an area popular with hillwalkers (Core Path 55 passes the car park), it was considered logical to retain the area for use by the public (predominantly local people) and to resolve the issues arising from inconsiderate parking.

“This work was completed July 1, 2020.

“Users of the car park are prompted by the signage to acquire a permit (£5 for a month) from the local shop, the proceeds of which are donated to Gifford Church and other local charities.”

Gifford Community Council also contacted the planning department and said: “Since 2021, the change in parking arrangements for visitors to the Hopes Estate has been a cause of concern for many Gifford residents.

“It is accepted there has been a problem with inconsiderate parking on the verges and gateways along the approach road to Mid Hopes.

“The voluntary creation of a car park at Mid Hopes by the landowner is therefore very much to be welcomed.”

However, concerns were raised about restrictions on the use of the car park.

According to the planning officer’s report, the community council were not in favour of lockable gates.

The report reads: “The requirement to pre-purchase a monthly parking permit from a shop in Gifford is not practical for visitors from outside the local area.

“The limit to the number of permits available for purchase is unnecessarily low. The car park is never anywhere near full.

“There is no need for the car park to be open only on certain days of the week and for limited hours.

“We suggest the lockable gates to the car park should be removed and the permit system be replaced with either a ticket machine or honesty box at the car park.”

Moorfoot Capital Management Ltd’s retrospective planning application for the development has been recommended for approval by council officers and will go before the council’s planning committee on Tuesday.