A FAMILY who live in Australia and run a holiday flat in Musselburgh have claimed that losing it will mean their children can no longer visit their grandparents.

Peter Oliver applied for a change of use for his flat on the town’s Bush Street, after operating it as a short-term let for seven years.

East Lothian Council’s planners refused to grant permission, saying that the use of the flat – which has a communal staircase – was "incompatible" with residential living.

And after losing an appeal to the council’s Local Review Body, the owner has appealed to Scottish Ministers to overturn the decision.

In the appeal, Mr Oliver said that no neighbours had complained about the holiday flat, which he said benefitted everyone in the building as he paid for the cleaning of the stairwell.

He added that, as well as allowing other people to let the flat, it was a home for his family when they visited his parents in the summer so they could spend time with his children.

He said: “Most of all, our family use the property. We stayed for a month last year and are planning a longer stay next summer.

“We live in Australia and this property is a vital link to allow our children to spend time with their grandparents, who can’t travel and otherwise would not know them.

“As they get older, we intend to spend more and more time visiting each summer. We cannot have this property on the residential market as, if our parents ever become sick, we need a place to come back to be near them.

“Having this property available for other guests to use outside of those times makes it possible for us to do this. It also gives couples in similar positions a great place to stay while they are doing the same.”

The appeal has been given to a Scottish Government Reporter for investigation.