Two parking meters at Westgate, North Berwick

What was proposed

The application proposed two solar-powered parking meters on public footways at corners on Westgate, accepting cash and cashless payments.

“_________ _______________________________________________________ COMMITTEE: Planning Committee MEETING DATE: October 2025 BY: Executive Director for Place REPORT TITLE: Application for Planning Permission for Consideration _______________________________________________________________________ Note: This application was called off the Scheme of Delegation List by Councillor Findlay for the following reason: Given the level of opposition both from residents of these…”

“The parking meters proposed to be instated would be MS1 Parking Terminals, measuring 317 x 305 x 1524mm high. They would have a black frontage housed within a high security stainless steel body, and protected with an anti-graffiti coating. They would be solar powered and would be able to accept cash or cashless payments (chip and pin or contactless card payments).”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The meters would be within the conservation area, near listed buildings, and would measure 317 by 305 millimetres and 1,524 millimetres high.

“The proposed parking meters would be sited within North Berwick Conservation Area.”

Officer report

Wider parking meter scheme

The application formed part of twelve applications proposing 27 parking meters in different locations in North Berwick.

“A Design Statement has been submitted in support of the application, which states that the main driver of the proposals to install parking meters in North Berwick is to reduce current parking issues identified in the town.”

“This application is one of 12 applications proposing a total of 27 parking meters in different locations in North Berwick.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Three objectors questioned the assessment, footway space, maintenance and effects on an unspoiled part of the conservation area.

What members debated

Some members supported the objections and Policy CH2 concerns, while others highlighted parking control, behaviour change, size, location and street furniture.

“Councillors Findlay and Cassini indicated they concurred with the objectors. They agreed that cabinets should not be added in this historic place, and thought the proposals fell foul of LDP Policy CH2.”

“Councillors McMillan and Hampshire commented on: the planning assessment being an objective assessment of the situation and need to control parking; the benefits of the behaviour change caused by the introduction of parking meters outweighing the points put forward by objectors; the parking meter’s size and location next to the litter bin; and parking meters being accepted pieces of street furniture across conservation areas.”

Minutes

The vote

Members voted to support consent, with Councillors Findlay and Cassini voting against the officer recommendation.

“The Convener then moved to a roll call vote on the officer’s recommendation to grant consent. Planning Committee members voted in support of the officer’s recommendation, apart from Councillors Findlay and Cassini, who voted against the recommendation.”

Minutes

The decision

Consent was granted with a three-year commencement period and a requirement to retain at least 1.2 metres of unobstructed footway.

“The development hereby approved shall begin before the expiration of 3 years from the date of this permission.”

“The parking meters hereby approved shall each be installed such that it allows at least 1.2 metres unobstructed clear footway width to remain available for users of the footway.”

Minutes