An East Lothian couple’s bid to build a roof terrace to escape smoking neighbours has been thrown out by councillors.
The owners of the home in the seaside town of North Berwick, had argued their small back garden lacked privacy because it was too close to neighbours.
But their bid to move up and create a peaceful rooftop escape was rejected by East Lothian Council’s planners.
And a virtual meeting of the local authority’s Local Review Body today rejected their appeal ruling the terrace would harm the North Berwick skyline.
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Councillors dismissed claims by the applicant’s agent that several houses near their home on Forth Street had similar terraces after a site visit.
Councillor Norman Hampshire, chairing the review body, said other examples given related to “balconies or terraces on the side of buildings not on the top of the roof”.
And he said the council had to “hold the line” against the proposed changes and the precedent it could set for future rooftop extensions.
Agents on behalf of the couple said in a statement that the roof, which is accessed by a hatch, was already used by the owners and the terrace, which would include decking of just under 7 metres by 3.5 metres and a glass balustrade, would make it safer.
They said: “No 59 Forth Street has a very small back garden area which is not very peaceful given the proximity to neighbours, and has direct sun for only a portion of the day in summer and none at all in the winter.
“Improving the form of the roof terrace would allow the house owners to enjoy outside space at their property all year round and in a more relaxed way, given the increased sunlight and lack of neighbourly noise/cigarette smoke. ”
The Local Review Body rejected the appeal unanimously.
