A DECISION over controversial plans for a care village on the outskirts of North Berwick has been delayed after new evidence aimed at highlighting its supposed health benefits was submitted. Developers Goldcrest are appealing to Scottish Ministers to overturn a decision by East Lothian Council to refuse planing permission for their extra care housing. The plans, which have been opposed by a ground movement of local residents, were branded “grossly out of character” by councillors, with a town GP comparing the proposal to a “ghetto”. But while a decision by the Scottish Government Reporter was due by April 12, a study by the King’s Fund on the Care and Support Specialised Housing (CASSH) Fund, which does not operate in Scotland, has been accepted into evidence after it was put forward this week.
More than 600 North Berwick residents took part in a survey regarding plans for a care village on the outskirts of their town with 97 per cent against it, it has been revealed. East Lothian SNP launched the survey after developers Goldcrest lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government over proposals rejected by East Lothian Council earlier this year. Councillor Paul McLennan, SNP Holyrood election candidate for the county, said he organised the survey after local residents raised concerns about the appeal with him. Goldcrest had applied for planning permission to build 152 residential and care units on fields at Castleton Farm, east of the town.