Parking meter and bollards at Tantallon Terrace, North Berwick

Related parking meters

The application formed part of 12 applications proposing 27 parking meters at different locations in North Berwick.

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

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the meter small and appropriately positioned, with no harmful impact on views, heritage, landscape, neighbours or cumulative character.

“The Council's Senior Landscape Officer acknowledges that the application site lies within the North Berwick Conservation Area and the Seton Sands Coast Special Landscape Area. The Senior Landscape Officer advises that although it is a small-scale development, the proposed parking meter would be positioned on the seaward side of the car park, and this could detract from the naturalness of the area.”

Officer report

What people objected to

Eight written representations objected to visual clutter, pedestrian obstruction, conservation-area harm, cumulative effects, lost parking and the proposal’s purpose.

“* The proposed parking meters would completely undermine conservation area planning policy and practice, as this would material adversely affect the visual impact of the streetscape that the current planning polices and practices have successfully protected; * Were the application to be approved it would bring into question the independence and reasonableness of the democratic planning process, where an application is submitted by the Road Authority to the Planning…”

“Their significant cumulative number, size, prominence and associated signage and poles would give rise to an unacceptable adverse impact upon the North Berwick Conservation Area and, in many cases, upon the setting of nearby listed buildings; * The development would neither preserve nor enhance the Conservation Area or the settings of nearby listed buildings; * The setting of listed buildings would be harmed; * There would be a harmful cumulative impact from the proposed…”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector questioned the consultation and layout, while questions were answered about vehicle restrictions, overnight parking and lost spaces.

What members debated

Members discussed community concerns, the seaward appearance of the meter and whether local views had been properly considered.

“[name withheld] considered that the cabinet would stand out on the seaward site of the road. He also questioned how many parking spaces had been lost as a result of the parking management proposals. [name withheld] responded that the consultation had been about the hardstanding area to house the parking meter, but a car park redesign in North Berwick would be consulted on in the future.”

“Councillor Findlay thanked the objectors for their contributions, and expressed sadness that local voices had been ignored. The Convener responded that Committee members listened to the views of the community and officers. He expressed that their responsibility as decision makers meant sometimes having to use their best judgement and vote against strong views from the community.”

Minutes

How members voted

Members supported the officer recommendation to grant consent, except for one opposing vote.

“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.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Consent was granted for the development, subject to a three-year commencement limit and two road-safety-audit conditions.

“Prior to the commencement of development a Stage 2 Road Safety Audit shall be submitted to and approved by the Planning Authority, which shall be undertaken for the detailed design of the parking meter and associated infrastructure, and shall include an implementation programme describing when measures identified in the audit will be provided in relation to construction of the parking meter and any associated infrastructure.”

“The Road Safety Audit shall be carried out in accordance with the most recent revision of GG119 Road Safety Audit.”

Minutes