Marie Sharp

Haddington

Local Democracy Reporter at Edinburgh Live

Local Democracy Reporter scrutinising the way local government is serving the people of East Lothian and Midlothian

Articles

Approval for project creating tropical seafood using AI in a shipping container

3 days ago | insider.co.uk | Marie Sharp

Scientists are set to use a shipping container to help them develop tropical seafood using artificial intelligence on land in Midlothian. Midlothian Council planners have given the go ahead for the container to be placed on Dryden Farm, Roslin, which is owned by the University of Edinburgh.
New town residents face two year wait for shops

3 days ago | insider.co.uk | Marie Sharp

Hundreds of residents in a new East Lothian town face a wait of two years before they have their own shops. Planning permission for Blindwells town centre has still to be granted by East Lothian Council, despite more than 340 houses now being occupied. The lack of shops and community facilities has led to one local community council accusing those involved of taking a ‘piecemeal’ approach to the housing estate.
Residents of new East Lothian town face two year wait for shops

4 days ago | thenational.scot | Marie Sharp

Planning permission for Blindwells town centre still has to be granted by East Lothian Council despite more than 340 houses now being occupied. The lack of shops and community facilities has led to one local community council accusing those involved of taking a "piecemeal" approach to the development which has created a large housing estate.
Owner of holiday flat for 'professionals' loses bid to keep renting it out

1 week ago | eastlothiancourier.com | Marie Sharp

Leanne Montgomery appealed to Scottish Ministers after East Lothian Council refused to grant a change of use for her second-floor flat on High Street to a short-term let. She told them that use of the holiday flat "helped the economy"; however, the Scottish Government Reporter ruled that its local impact was irrelevant. And they said the flat owner had provided no evidence that it was mainly used by professionals, as had been claimed.
Haddington traders slam plans for parking charges in town centre

1 week ago | eastlothiancourier.com | Marie Sharp

SHOP owners are warning that council plans to restrict free parking in their town centre to just 30 minutes will ‘kill’ the high street. East Lothian Council's plans for parking charges in Haddington have prompted an angry reaction from residents and traders. Town centre shops have copies of a petition opposing the proposals on their front counters, along posters urging support to stop the plans, while a public meeting has been arranged.
Century-old East Lothian boarding school plans to enclose outdoor swimming pool

2 weeks ago | news.stv.tv | Marie Sharp

A century-old East Lothian boarding school has lodged plans to enclose its outdoor swimming pool to provide year round access for its pupils. Belhaven Hill School in Dunbar says its heated outdoor pool is a popular part of its outdoor education but only used during summer terms and part of autumn with youngsters travelling to local pools the rest of the year. Now it hopes to create a new cover which will allow it to be used all year round alongside changing facilities for its students.
Owners of former bank building launch appeal in latest bid to turn it into home

3 weeks ago | eastlothiancourier.com | Marie Sharp

The old Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) branch, on the town’s Westgate, was bought for more than double the £225,000 asking price when it went on the market in 2018. Attempts by its owners to turn it into a home have repeatedly been rejected by East Lothian Council planners, who say that it is a commercial unit and should remain so, while North Berwick Community Council have objected to the plans.
Eyes of world on East Lothian as Scottish Open returns to Renaissance, Provost says

3 weeks ago | eastlothiancourier.com | Marie Sharp

Speaking as East Lothian councillors agreed to a temporary ban on public access to the course during the summer event, Councillor John McMillan said that the continued partnership with organisers was a boost to the economy and the county’s reputation. And he said that the eyes of the world would be on The Renaissance Club, near Dirleton, as global golfing stars arrived for the annual competition.
Village shop banned from selling alcohol two years ago aims to get licence back

3 weeks ago | eastlothiancourier.com | Marie Sharp

The Premier store in Gifford was ordered to stop selling alcohol by East Lothian Council's licensing board in December 2023, after it was claimed that the premises manager was not a ‘fit person’ to operate it. At the time, the board’s licensing standards officer raised concern about staff at the store, training and a lack of management oversight. Next week, the board will hear an application from a new premises manager, Prasanth Baskaran, to take over the shop and introduce alcohol sales again.
Lidl knocked back by Scottish Government amid 15-year battle over store signage

3 weeks ago | thenational.scot | Marie Sharp

The food chain appealed to Scottish Ministers to allow the six-metre totem-style sign at their store on St Kentigern Way, Penicuik, after Midlothian planners rejected it saying it was not in keeping with the nearby conservation area. The appeal came after they successfully overturned planners objections to an illuminated sign on the store itself which had been described as "garish".