Drive-thru fast-food restaurant at Macmerry Service Station Gladsmuir Junction Access, Tranent

What was proposed

The application proposed a single-storey drive-thru fast-food restaurant with parking, access roads, electric vehicle charging, cycle parking, fencing, landscaping and a patio.

“The proposed building would, like the building approved through planning permission 18/00677/PM, be single storey in height and would be sited to the south of the site. The proposed building would have a length of some 31.7 metres, a width of some 12.2 metres and would have a height of some 5.6 metres, at its highest point. It would be finished externally in dark grey cladding panels and timber effect cladding panels.”

“The proposed car parking area would be situated within the western part of the site whilst the drive-thru would be sited to the east and south. They would both be surfaced with tarmac. The submitted drawings indicate that 29 car parking spaces would be provided which would include two accessible parking spaces, two grill bays sited, EV chargers for four vehicles and Sheffield cycle parking stand with space for eight bikes.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site forms part of an operational roadside service station in the countryside, near Longniddry and Tranent, within a high-risk coal development area.

“The site is some 1.7 miles south of Longniddry and some 3.7 metres north-east of Tranent. The application site forms part of the approved service station as per planning permission 18/00677/PM which is located within the countryside as defined by Policy DC1 of the adopted East Lothian Local Development Plan 2018. The site is situated within a High-Risk Coal Development Area and is within the 1km buffer zone for a high-pressure gas pipeline.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions approved a petrol station, coffee shop and two drive-thru restaurants; the petrol station and coffee shop operate, but the restaurants were not built.

“COMMITTEE: Planning Committee MEETING DATE: June 2026 BY: Depute Chief Executive – Resources and Economy REPORT TITLE: Application for Planning Permission for Consideration Note: This application has been called off the Scheme of Delegation List by Councillor Menzies for the following reason: Due to the public and community council objections to the application the decision on it should be taken by Planning Committee.”

“Notwithstanding that neither of the drive thru restaurants have yet been built, planning permission 18/00677/PM has been implemented and the petrol filling station and drive thru coffee shop are in operation.”

Officer report

Consultees and objections

Community councils and eleven objectors raised litter, health, traffic, safety, appearance, environmental and rural-character concerns, while consultees generally raised no objection subject to conditions.

“Macmerry and Gladsmuir Community Council (MGCC) have been consulted on this application and advise they raise objection. In summary the main grounds of their objection are:”

“LCC echo concerns raised by MGCC regarding an increase in litter as a result of the use of the site;”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent described operational, employment, landscaping and litter benefits, while the chair of a local voluntary litter-picking group spoke against the proposal.

The decision and conditions

Planning consent was granted with conditions covering construction, access, parking, travel, landscaping, lighting, biodiversity, carbon reduction and litter management.

“Planning consent was granted, subject to the following conditions:”

“All planting shall be established and maintained in accordance with the details on the above drawings. Following completion of the planting, documentation demonstrating that the planting has been carried out as per the approved details of landscaping shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority.”

Minutes