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

Heritage body criticised for 'unhelpful' responses over protected buildings

3 days ago | eastlothiancourier.com | Marie Sharp

Historic Environment Scotland's response to plans for Engine Cottage in North Berwick was criticised. Image: East Lothian Council planning portal HISTORIC Environment Scotland (HES) has come under fire from East Lothian planners for providing "unhelpful" responses to cases involving protected buildings.
Taxi fares in East Lothian to rise by 10 per cent this summer

5 days ago | eastlothiancourier.com | Marie Sharp

Taxi fares in East Lothian are to rise by 10 per cent TAXI fares in East Lothian will go up by 10 per cent this summer, despite calls from operators for an increase in price of more than twice that much. Councillors agreed to a call from taxi firms to increase the fares, after they said that increased National Insurance costs and a rise in the living wage had put increased pressure on them.
Campervan bays at Scottish beauty spot 'to be binned after it's used as toilet'

5 days ago | www-tmp.thenational.scot | Marie Sharp

A sunset at Belhaven beach (Image: Richard West on Geograph) OVERNIGHT parking bays for campervans at a Scottish beauty spot look set to be scrapped after complaints that visitors use the area as a "toilet", leave their rubbish, and abuse the rules.
Plans to scrap campervan bays at beauty spot after visitors use it as 'toilet'

5 days ago | eastlothiancourier.com | Marie Sharp

Overnight parking for motorhomes has been operating in Shore Road Car Park, Belhaven. Image: Google Maps OVERNIGHT parking bays for campervans at an East Lothian beauty spot are set to be scrapped, after complaints that visitors use the area as a "toilet", leave their rubbish and abuse the rules.
Council's 'Miss Marple' solves mystery of historic cottage's windows

1 week ago | eastlothiancourier.com | Marie Sharp

This old photo of Engine Cottage, North Berwick, shared by Councillor Donna Collins at the planning meeting, showed it had darker window frames A COUNCILLOR has been compared to famous fictional detective Miss Marple, after her discovery of a century-old photo saw the owners of a 19th-century cottage win permission to change its windows.
Claim plans to replace white windows with grey ones would 'harm' listed building

1 week ago | eastlothiancourier.com | Marie Sharp

2 1/1 PLANS to replace white window frames on a listed building with ones painted ‘tarpaulin grey’ would "harm" its character, planners have said. East Lothian Council has been asked to allow the owners of Category B listed Engine Cottage in North Berwick to put eight new windows in the home, with the single-glazed white timber ones replaced with double-glazed aluclad versions.
Charity founder launches pet loss project after witnessing trauma first-hand

1 week ago | eastlothiancourier.com | Marie Sharp

Lesley Winton is running the bassinet project (Image: Contributed) THE founder of an East Lothian charity which supports vulnerable children and young people has launched a new project to provide a final farewell for family pets, after witnessing the impact of loss first-hand through her work.
Police called and residents dismayed as digger dredges pond in nesting season

1 week ago | eastlothiancourier.com | Marie Sharp

A digger was spotted clearing Garleton Pond last month POLICE were called in to investigate after a village pond was dredged by a digger during nesting season. Angry residents in Athelstaneford raised the alarm after spotting the work being carried out at Garleton Pond on the outskirts of the village. The pond, which is home to moorhens and coots every year, had been surrounded by trees and hedgerows prior to the work.
Taxi fares could rise by up to 25 per cent in East Lothian under proposals

1 week ago | eastlothiancourier.com | Marie Sharp

TAXI fares in East Lothian could rise by up to 25 per cent, as operators say that increased National Insurance costs and a rise in the living wage have put more pressure on them. East Lothian Council licensing chiefs are set to review the current fares at a meeting next week and have been asked to consider introducing higher charges.
Eight Midlothian schools face toilets review after court gender rulings

1 week ago | news.stv.tv | Marie Sharp

Eight schools in Midlothian face having to change their toilets in the wake of recent court rulings over gender rights. Midlothian Council said it is awaiting national guidance following a ruling at the Court of Session in Scotland, which ordered another local authority to install single-sex toilets for pupils.