THE owner of a listed cottage overlooking a North Berwick golf course faces having to tear down a garden room after complaints it blocked views of the house from the fairway.

East Lothian Council’s planners refused to grant permission for the garden room, which had already been built at Rhodes Cottages in the town.

Applicant Kenneth Walker had argued that the room replaced one which already existed in the garden and was the same size.

However, planners received five objections, with neighbours complaining that it blocked out light, was in open view of the Glen Golf Course and looked "alien" against the other cottages.

Now Mr Walker has lodged an appeal with the council’s Local Review Body, hitting back at claims that the room is out of place and dismissing objectors' claims that the room will be used as a holiday let.

East Lothian Courier: Garden room behind cottage overlooking fairway in North Berwick was refused planning permission pic Google Maps PERMISSION FOR USE FREE FOR ALL LDR PARTNERS

The cottage with the garden room behind. Image: Google Maps

In the appeal, he says that the new garden room is "only marginally bigger" than the one previously in the garden and does not obscure the view, adding: “From the second fairway on the golf course, the only building that obscures the view of the cottages is one built by our neighbour.”

And he contests claims that the garden room blocks light before adding that the room has not been used since it was built and will never be a holiday let.

He said: “When we purchased the cottage, it was in a state of disrepair and the garden room and associated decking were not fit for purpose.

“Our builders did not realise planning was required due to the size of the outbuilding and that we were replacing what was already there with something similar in size.”

Planners refused retrospective permission for the garden room in December last year, after ruling it was "inappropriate" when compared to the listed building cottages.

They said: “It masks and draws focus away in views from the public footpath and golf course.

“It is therefore a form of development that is harmful to the setting of the listed building and the terrace of listed buildings of which the application’s house is a part.”

The appeal will be heard at a virtual meeting of the Local Review Body next week.