Councillors Approve Howgate House Despite Wildlife Concerns

0:00It's March 23rd. Welcome to Edinburgh News Today, powered by AI. Mid-Lothian counselors have approved plans for a two-bedroom house on the edge of Hougade near Pinakwick. The local review body overturned an earlier refusal by planners who saw the site as countryside outside the village and not sustainable enough. Planners pointed out the house would sit 1.2 miles from the nearest public bus stop, exceeding the recommended one-mile limit. This countered at the spot falls within Hougade's boundary and already has residential use. During the meeting, one counselor raised concerns about harm to wildlife in the garden area, calling it a sanctuary. Others described it as an neglected wilderness and dismissed the worries. No public objections came in, and applicants noted a nearby cycling route to the bus, plus hopes for a local service to restart after COVID losses. In the end, most counselors backed the project, clearing the way for construction and prioritizing development over those nature claims.