PIZZA delivery chain Domino’s has lost a bid to open its third East Lothian branch after councillors said that lessons "have to be learned" from problems at existing sites.

The international takeaway chain had applied for planning permission to change The Grain cafe in Haddington into its latest outlet.

However, a meeting of East Lothian Council’s planning committee on Tuesday heard that a number of local residents and businesses objected to the move, with elected members pointing to issues caused by established Domino's branches in Musselburgh and Tranent.

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Many of the complaints surrounded parking outside the branches and traffic, with claims that the proposed new branch in Haddington was at a "pinch point" on Haddington High Street.

Councillor Donna Collins said that she drove past the two open branches and Haddington High Street on a Friday evening and described traffic as a "nightmare, particularly at Tranent".

Councillor Colin McGinn said that there were problems with delivery drivers and customers parking on the pavement at Tranent and causing traffic issues, adding that a company as big as Domino’s should learn from issues at branches.

He said: “I believe a multi-national global company should be able to look at its footprint and the impact it has on communities.

“They do provide jobs and a service, but the impact of that service in Tranent High Street is a lesson we have to learn.”

The application, which was recommended for approval by planning officers, was called in by local councillor George McGuire, who is not a member of the planning committee.

He told the meeting: “The location is wrong. It is not that I do no want Domino’s to come to Haddington but there are other sites available. The High Street is a pinch point.”

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Councillors pointed to a vacant unit at the town’s newest retail estate, Haddington Retail Park at Gateside, as one alternative option for the pizza firm.

However, Councillor Norman Hampshire, council leader and planning convenor, backed the application for a change of use at The Grain, questioning why people were objecting.

And he said that traffic or anti-social behaviour issues outside the pizza chain’s branches were a matter for the police and authorities, and not a planning consideration.

He said: “If this was a fancy restaurant with a fancy chef, would the same people be objecting, or is it because it is Domino’s pizza?”

The meeting heard that 19 objections had been lodged out of 24 representations in total.

Councillors voted by six votes to four to reject the application: voting against were councillors Liz Allan, Cher Cassini, Donna Collins, Jeremy Findlay, Colin McGinn and John McMillan; voting for were councillors Andy Forrest, Norman Hampshire, Kenny McLeod and Colin Yorkston.