A retired couple have launched an appeal after they were ordered to move their summer house two metres from its current position.

East Lothian planners granted a retrospective application for permission for changes to the garden of a rural cottage at Yester, near Gifford, including the addition of a sauna, shed, patio and fence along with the summer house.

However they included a condition demanding the summer house is moved from its current position saying it protruded the building line impacting on the ‘character and appearance’ of the surrounding area.

Now applicants the Ledinghams have lodged an appeal with the council’s Local Review Body, arguing the summer house protects their home by providing a windbreak and adds to their garden being a ‘haven’ for them.

Planning officers said they receive 15 objections to the application from nine objectors raising concerns including the height of the fence obstructing traffic views and loss of parking space to the summer house.

However the Ledinghams appeal argues planners have made a mistake by claiming the summer house protrudes their home when in fact it is a neighbour house line it extends past.

They say: “The garden has been significantly improved in the last two years as it was sloping unevenly and basically a rockery. It is now a lovely small cottage garden in which to sit. This is a haven for us when our health is poor.

“The garden is very windy and the siting of the summerhouse gives us some protection and respite. The garden is wider at the entrance and narrows considerably and so moving the summerhouse is not appropriate. The summerhouse is on our land and hasn’t affected parking.”

The appeal will go before the Local Review Body next month.

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency. It is funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector (in Edinburgh that is Reach plc (the publisher behind Edinburgh Live and The Daily Record) and used by many qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover news about top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.

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