PLANS for a drive-in car wash will be considered again next month after planners deemed it would not complement an “important gateway” into Haddington.

Gleam Machine Haddington, which operates another car wash facility in the county, had hoped to create more than 10 jobs through its business next to Haddington Retail Park.

However, its proposals were rejected by East Lothian Council.

Now, the council’s local review body, which consists of three councillors, will reconsider the planning department’s decision.

Tony Thomas, who is representing the business, confirmed that the plans would be discussed on July 20.

He said: “We are bitterly disappointed with the outcome and response for the refusal, and felt the only appropriate course of action was to appeal the decision.

“The site seems to be an ideal location for a much-needed car wash in Haddington, adjacent as it is to the retail park, and we hope the local review body agrees with us.”

Documents included with the application show two wash bays, with four spaces for cars to park.

The planning department outlined three reasons for turning down the car wash, which would have been located off the A199, to the east of Oaktree Junction on the A1.

Among the concerns was that the business was being created in a “countryside location”, despite being next to Haddington Retail Park, which features Aldi, The Food Warehouse, Costa Coffee and Home Bargains, as well as a petrol station.

Secondly, the planning department ruled that the car wash with office and pump house “would not be a form of development that would complement this important gateway location into Haddington”.

Finally, the planning department outlined concerns about road safety at the site, which echoed a letter from a member of the public objecting to the scheme.