East Lothian Villagers Triumph in Battle Against Woodland Footpath
Residents of Elphinstone successfully halt plans for a footpath through their woodland, citing ongoing waterlogging issues.
East Lothian, Elphinstone, Bellway, Footpath, Waterlogging, Community Council
Elphinstone: Residents in this East Lothian village have scored a win against developers trying to put a footpath through their peaceful area. They were really worried about the impact on their gardens, which have been waterlogged since new homes went up nearby.
When Bellway, the developer, proposed to build even more houses and a footpath through the woods, locals were understandably upset. They felt it would only make their waterlogging problems worse.
This week, while Bellway got the green light for more housing, the planning committee turned down the footpath. Local councillors agreed there were better options available.
Councillor Colin McGinn, who has been working closely with the residents, stood firm against the footpath plan, even though council officers had recommended it. He believed it just wasn’t right for the village.
Residents had already voiced their concerns last November, saying the first phase of Bellway’s development had caused ongoing issues. They were tired of their gardens being soaked and didn’t want more homes added to the mix.
Rob Moore, a resident, pointed out that the drainage solutions proposed by Bellway weren’t working. He felt the footpath would only make things worse by removing trees and green spaces.
With 23 objections filed against the footpath, locals were worried about increased noise and disturbance. The Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council also chimed in, expressing frustration over the lack of consultation from the developers.
In the end, the footpath application was unanimously rejected, much to the relief of the community.
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