Two parking meters at Kirk Ports, North Berwick

“_________ _______________________________________________________ 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).”

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

“To the north of the parking meter proposed to be installed on the north side of Kirk Ports on the rear of the footway in front of the beer garden of the County Hotel is the County Hotel building of 15-17 High Street which is listed as being of special architectural or historic interest (Category C). Also, to the southwest is St Andrews Kirk Scheduled Monument.”

“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.”

“The proposed parking meter to be positioned on the north side of Kirk Ports on the rear of the footway in front of the beer garden of the County Hotel would be viewed as a relatively small structure with the backdrop of larger buildings it would be positioned in front of. It would be positioned in front of a boundary wall with railings and would be seen in the context of the furniture of the beer garden behind it.”

“The proposal is considered to be in accordance with the provisions of the stated relevant Development Plan policies and there are no material considerations which 96”

“The Council's Senior Landscape Officer acknowledges that the application site lies within the North Berwick Conservation Area and advises that due to the small size and scale of the proposed parking meters they would not harm the character or appearance of the Conservation Area. The Council's Senior Landscape Officer therefore raises no landscape objection to the application.”

“The Council's Road Services advise that the location of the proposed parking meters is acceptable as adequate pedestrian space would remain on the section of footway where the parking meters would be installed. Road Services therefore raise no objection to the application subject to the parking meters being installed in such a way that they allow at least 1.2 metres unobstructed clear footway width for users of the footway, which they have confirmed is achievable.”

“[name withheld] considered that the northerly parking meter would prevent maintenance of the gable and would interfere with bike racks. She considered that the meter positioned on the southern boundary of The Law had been strangely positioned halfway along an elevation; she both meters were harmful to the conservation area, and should looked at more carefully.”

“[name withheld] questioned what would happen to the current cycle parking. He was concerned about the visual impact of the southerly meter on the viewpoints of St Andrews Blackadder Church, and the war memorial up to The Lodge. In response, [name withheld] explained the rationale behind the positioning of these meters, and confirmed that maintenance and cycle parking would not be affected. He also discussed where tickets would be bought for various parking locations.”

“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 Councillor Findlay, who voted against the recommendation.”

“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.”