Figures obtained by Iain Gray MSP reveal that more than half (52 per cent) of East Lothian planning appeals have been approved by SNP Ministers over the last five years. This compares with a Scottish average of only 46 per cent over the same period.

In 2016 and 2019 three out of four (75 per cent) local appeals to Ministers were approved, way above the Scottish average of 54 per cent in 2016 and 43 per cent in 2019.

Mr Gray says the latest figures, obtained through parliamentary questions, underline the ongoing failure of SNP Ministers to respect local planning decisions or the views of local communities on new developments in East Lothian.

Meanwhile, Martin Whitfield, Labour’s candidate to succeed Mr Gray as East Lothian’s next MSP, has pledged to oppose the SNP’s creeping centralisation of decision-making and work to strengthen the voice of local communities in the planning process.

Iain Gray MSP said: 

“SNP Ministers have been riding roughshod over local planning decisions for many years, with numerous unwanted developments rejected by councillors but then foisted onto local communities against their wishes. We used to be told that this was because of delays in agreeing a new Local Development Plan, but that plan is now in place and decisions are still being overturned. 

“As well as this disregard for the views of local communities, Ministers also dictated the number of new houses that must be built in the county and then failed to provide the additional resources required for new infrastructure to keep up with the growing population. 

“It’s long past time for Ministers to ditch their reckless approach to planning in East Lothian, stop nodding through appeals and instead allow local councillors and people to decide on how and where we develop our communities.” 

Martin Whitfield said: 

“Local communities are fed up with diligently following the planning process and seeing a development rejected, only for the decision to be appealed to SNP Ministers and rubber stamped by them against the wishes of local people. 

“We have seen it time and time again over the years, often with adverse consequences for local people and services. While the number of appeals has reduced over recent years, the trend has been the same with these figures confirming more than half of appeals are still being approved. 

“I’m committed to opposing this creeping SNP centralisation and fighting for local planning decisions to genuinely be made locally. If I’m elected to the Scottish Parliament next year, I’ll press for communities to have greater say on planning and development and for local decisions to be respected.” 

The questions tabled by Mr Gray are set out below:

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of planning decision appeals from the East Lothian area since 2016 it has determined in favour of the developer, and how this compares with the national average.

Kevin Stewart:52% of planning appeal decisions from the East Lothian area were determined in favour of the developer for the period 01-01-16 until 22-11-20. The national average is 46% for the same time period. Decisions are made on the planning merits of the case taking full account of the evidence submitted by all parties including any representations made by the local community.

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many East Lothian planning appeals Reporters have considered and how many decisions made by the local planning authority were overturned, in each year since 2016 to date, and how these figures compared with the Scottish average.

Kevin Stewart: The number of planning appeals that have been examined by a reporter, and those that have been subsequently allowed by a reporter since 2016, for East Lothian Council area and Scotland as a whole, are set out in the following table.

* Figures shown relate to the period 01-01-2016 until 30-11-2020, broken down by year.