Athelstaneford Mains Farm Athelstaneford North Berwick EH39 5BH

1. 1.The proposed padel courts/fitness facility is a leisure related use that is not directly related to agriculture, horticulture, forestry, infrastructure or countryside recreation. It is therefore a use that does not have an operational requirement for a countryside location, contrary to Policy 29 of NPF4 and Policy DC1 of the adopted East Lothian Local Development Plan 2018.
2. 2.By virtue of its architectural form, size, scale, proportions, massing and position, the proposed padel courts/fitness building would not be in keeping with, but rather would significantly alter, the natural landscape character of this part of the East Lothian countryside. It would detract from the landscape character and amenity of the area contrary to Policies 4, 14 and 29 of NPF4 and Policies DC1, DC9, DP1 and DP2 of the adopted East Lothian Local Development Plan 2018.
3. 3.By virtue of their extents, sizes, scales and mass of hard surfacing, the proposed vehicular access and its associated access track and car parking area would not be appropriate to their place or in keeping with the natural landscape character of this part of the East Lothian countryside. They would detract from the character and appearance of the landscape of the area and would neither preserve nor enhance this part of the Athelstaneford Conservation Area, contrary to Policies 4, 7, 14 and 29 of NPF4 and Policies DC1, CH2, DP1 and DP2 of the adopted East Lothian Local Development Plan 2018.
4. 4.The proposed development would result in the loss of prime agricultural land, contrary to Policy 5 of NPF4 and Policy NH7 of the adopted East Lothian Local Development Plan 2018.
5. 5.It has not been demonstrated that no obstruction above 1.05 metres to the west of the visibility splay associated with the proposed vehicular access can be achieved without compromising road safety, contrary to Policies 13 of NPF4 and Policies T1 and T2 of the adopted East Lothian Local Development Plan 2018.
6. 6.The proposed development would not be located in a sustainable location or within a 20 minute neighbourhood and would not contribute to local living within an existing settlement. Consequently, the proposed development would result in an increased number of non-public transport journeys at a time when the Scottish Government is requiring a reduction in private car use to help combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions contrary to Policies 1, 2 and 15 of NPF4 and Policies T1 and T2 of the adopted East Lothian Local Development Plan 2018. The report on this application is attached to this Decision Notice and its terms shall be deemed to be incorporated in full in this Decision Notice. Details of the following are given in the application report: - the terms on which the Planning Authority based this decision; - details of any variations made to the application in terms of Section 32A of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. The plans to which this decision relate are as follows: Drawing No. Revision No. Date Received MANU LITERATURE 1 - 16.03.2026

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

EH39 5BH

Application type

Planning Permission

Scale / size

Small

Parish

Haddington Area Community Council

Date validated

13 March 2026

Consultation expiry

10 April 2026

Consultation start

16 March 2026

Consultation end

30 March 2026

Last date for comments

10 April 2026

Target decision date

8 May 2026

Committee meeting

30 April 2026

Permission expires

8 May 2029

Agent address

Per Malcolm Clapperton Clinton Studio 138 Whitehouse Loan Edinburgh EH9 2AN

Statutory period

56 days

Last advertised

20 March 2026

Advertisement expiry

10 April 2026

Site notice start

20 March 2026

Site notice end

10 April 2026

Documents

7