A FARMER’S son who plans to take over the family business is asking councillors to give him the go-ahead to build a new home on the land after planning officers took too long to make a decision.

Andrew Meikle applied for permission to build his family a home at Hoprig Mains Farm, near Gladsmuir, in October last year so he could succeed his father in managing the 1,000-acre farm.

However, East Lothian Council planners failed to meet the original deadline for making a decision and, after asking for an extension until  December 25, asked for a further extension with no fixed date.

In an appeal which will go before the council’s Local Review Body next month, agents for Mr Meikle say that the house plans are straightforward and meet the council’s own policies.

And they say that being able to live at the farm itself will provide extra security for the business and prevent rural crime.

East Lothian Courier: Site of proposed new house as part of Hoprig Mains Farm business pic ELC planning portal PERMISSION FOR USE FREE FOR ALL LDR PARTNERS

The site of the proposed new house. Image: East Lothian Council planning portal 

They say: “The dwelling has been designed to overlook the farm holding to provide passive surveillance with no overlooking, loss of daylight and overshadowing to neighbouring properties.

“Due to the nature of the farm operations and duties, it is essential that people live on the site to ensure health and safety for visitors to the site; operational efficiency; and security.

“A presence would also benefit the operational efficiency of the holding.

“An on-site presence would likely deter perpetrators of rural crime and boost the security of the holding in a relatively remote location.”

Hoprig Mains Farm was the home of Catherine Blair, the founder of the Scottish Women's Rural Institute, who lived there at the start of the 20th century.

As well as establishing the ‘Rural’ in Scotland, Catherine gave refuge to suffragette prisoners hiding from the law at the farm, when they were released under the notorious Cat and Mouse Act which saw them sent home from prison when they became unwell from refusing to eat but jailed again once they had recovered.