AN ASPHALT plant operating in a rural area south-west of Gladsmuir has been given the go-ahead to install two ‘welfare cabins’ for its workers.

The cabins, one of which will be a portable toilet and changing area, have been granted approval by East Lothian Council planners after they ruled that they would be hidden in the woods and surrounding countryside location.

A report by officers said that the small cabins, which measure about three metres high and are up to six metres long, would be "well contained from public views”.

It said: “The proposed cabins seek to provide welfare facilities for employees at Gladsmuir Plant and thus have a direct operational requirement to be situated within the plant.

“Furthermore, the application site is bounded to the north by mature vegetation and, due to the location and orientation of the site, the proposed cabins would be well contained from public views.

“Therefore, by virtue of their form, size, design and positioning, the proposed cabins would not be harmful to the character or appearance of the area or its countryside location.”

The planners' report says the site was last used as a concrete batch plant but was granted planning permission in 2019 for an asphalt plant, office building, weighbridge and associated works, adding that the permission had since been implemented.

No objections were lodged with the council to the proposals, from plant operators Aggregate Industries, which were granted planning permission.