A FINE furniture workshop has been given the go-ahead to be built in woods after councillors overturned a decision by planners to reject it.

Iain Stirling was refused planning permission to build a new home for his business, Chapelhill Fine Furniture, on land at Bolton Muir Woods, near Gifford, after council officers ruled it had no direct link to “agriculture, horticulture, forestry, infrastructure or countryside recreation”.

But a meeting of East Lothian Council’s Local Review Body last month overturned the decision as elected members welcomed the addition of the business to the community.

A graduate of the Chippendale International School of Furniture, Dr Stirling’s workshop would be  near the school, on the outskirts of Gifford, and maintain links with it.

His agents said it would “enable the continued development of furniture-making businesses in the Gifford area, creating employment and encouraging graduates to use their skills as a catalyst to establish their own business in the vicinity whilst maintaining and exploiting the proximity to and relationships with the school”.

Concerns were raised about the proposed access to the new workshop off a quiet rural road after planners said it did not give enough visibility for traffic to safely enter and exit.

READ MORE: East Lothian craftsman seeks new home for furniture making firm

Councillor Donna Collins, review body member, told the meeting she was not comfortable with the lack of visibility but said: “This is going to employ 10 people and help build skills; it works for me.”

Councillor Liz Allan, who chaired the meeting, gave her support as well, pointing out that the workshop would be close to the world-famous Chippendale International School of Furniture.

She said: “The Chippendale School is a great pride of East Lothian. I do not think the road is much of an issue.”

However, Councillor Andy Forrest backed planning officers, saying that concern over the access was valid.

The appeal was upheld by two votes to one.