Plans to build a six storey high student accommodation block in Musselburgh have been rejected by councillors in East Lothian.
Councillors questioned the size of the new building which would house 270 students in studios
Concern over the loss of ancient trees chopped down before the plans for the new development were lodged with East Lothian Council and claims it would be a ‘car free’ development were raised at a meeting of its elected members.
Local ward councillor Shona McIntosh told the meeting: “The economic benefits have been vastly over egged, it assumes students will act the same as they would in a city centre.
“Edinburgh University students are currently protesting and dressing as cows because they feel they are being treated as cash cows and this development is also treating students as cash cows.”
The committee heard from the applicant’s representative that the development would operate on a car-free basis, with students required to sign a 51-week lease agreeing not to own or use a car during their stay.
They said the model had proved successful in cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh, adding that it would be enforced by building management, with students who breached the terms of their lease being told to leave.
However, planning committee convenor Councillor Norman Hampshire dismissed the proposal, saying those behind it were living in a “dream world”.
He told the committee: “Providing accommodation for 270 students and expecting none of them to have a car is a fantasy. I would expect about half to have cars and use them.”
The planning committee voted five to three against the development, citing its scale and the lack of adequate amenity and parking provision as reasons for refusing permission.