A HOUSING developer has been described as a "bit rude" after it put a 12-foot sign up on land that it did not own.

Taylor Wimpey quickly removed the sign promoting the new housing estate in Dunbar after residents complained that the company did not have permission to use the land.

And at a meeting of East Lothian Council's planning committee on Tuesday, the company was criticised for the "oversight".

Councillor Cher Cassini told the meeting: "It is a bit rude that Taylor Wimpey don't own the land and haven't even asked permission."

Taylor Wimpey removed the sign on the junction of James Kerr Way and Yosemite Park in the town and applied for retrospective planning permission for it.

However, the committee heard that three objections had been lodged with East Lothian planners, amid claims that the sign could distract passing drivers and was sited near to a playground.

READ MORE: Residents concerned about safety of housing developer's sign

Local resident Paul Meegan told the meeting that he and other residents owned the land and paid a factor to maintain it.

He said: "A large international company like Taylor Wimpey will be well versed in permission for the sign in question. "

Dunbar resident Jacquie Bell told the committee that there was concern over the safety of children at the playpark, especially with HGVs travelling through the roads to new construction sites.

She said: "It has been really concerning for local residents. I was surprised to see the sign as it is some distance from the development [Belhaven Way]."

Last week, a spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey East Scotland apologised for the initial placing of the sign without planning consent, describing it as an "oversight", but said that the company hoped to reinstall it once the application was approved,

They said: "Whilst it is our standard practice to secure planning consent before erecting these types of signs, there was an oversight which meant this sign was installed prior to planning permission being obtained and we apologise for this."

Council officers said that they had no concerns about the safety issues raised by residents over the sign and recommended it for approval.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, planning convenor and a local ward councillor, said: "The sign should not have gone up without permission and Taylor Wimpey should have known that, but our officers are happy this location is okay, does not impede on any road safety, so I am happy to support their recommendation."

Councillor Jeremy Findlay told the planning committee that he would support the application but added: "I would encourage Taylor Wimpey to get permission from the landowners before they do anything."

Ward councillor Donna Collins had called in the application to be decided by councillors after concerns were raised with her about the sign and the impact on safety at the local park.

She told the meeting: "For me, with all good conscience with it being next to a playpark and the lorries going up and down there just now, I won't be supporting it."

The application to install the sign was approved by nine votes to one, with Mrs Collins voting against it.