Letter: Planning farce

THE Scottish Office has given the go ahead to a large garden centre right next to Asda on the edge of Dunbar on land designated "not for retail" in the local council town plan, and possibly on the site of the Battle of Dunbar.

The application was made some months ago by a Nick Crabbie who called a public meeting, which voted five to one against the proposal. At a later meeting councillors voted seven to three against. East Lothian Council planners turned the application down. Mr Crabbie appealed and the Scottish Office has approved his application.

The application was turned down because of the detrimental affect it may have on many established and already struggling businesses in East Lothian; because of environmental factors and because the land was not for retail use. The decision made by local people and councillors was democracy in action, the Scottish Office has made a mockery of this process.

Chris Eden

Innerwick

Near Dunbar