Dirleton Approves First Home in 20 Years

It's April 6, I'm Quarry, with the story.

This is Edinburgh News Today, driven by AI.

After 20 years of back and forth, folks in Durleton finally got the green light to build

a single house on the village edge.

The spot, a former market garden behind Speedwell House off main road, have been shot

down repeatedly as too conspicuous for the area.

But this week, the Council's Planning Committee voted 11-1 to approve it for owner Donald

Skinner.

Earlier rejections hinged on the house sticking out like a sore thumb, but reps argued times

have changed.

The design now tucks behind a tree line, sits within village boundaries, and fits those

established fingers of development stretching from the core.

Local councillors couldn't hide their frustration with a double standard.

Ward member Jeremy Finley pointed out, have a council-ok dozens of new homes in 2019,

right by Medieval, Durleton Castle, Supervisible, against local wishes, and still approved

on appeal.

Fellow councillor Liz Allen called it baffling, that big builds get a pass while one nice

family home gets blocked.

Not everyone was on board.

Councillor Andy Forrest worried it had opened the floodgates for more sprawl there.

But most saw the updated plans as a solid match for policies, with councillor Kenny MacLeod

noting how small scale projects like this bring fresh style.

Over cookie cutter big developer stuff.

In the end, this approval signals villages like Durleton can grow smartly, one thawful

home at a time without losing their charm.