AN APPEAL has been lodged after plans to 'relocate' East Links Family Park were thrown out by councillors.

Members of East Lothian Council’s planning committee – with the exception of Councillor Kenny McLeod – turned down the plans to move the family attraction six miles, from outside West Barns to East Fortune, earlier this summer.

Now, the matter will be considered by a Scottish Government-appointed Reporter, who will consider information from both the applicant, East Fortune Holdings Ltd, and East Lothian Council.

Tony Thomas, who is representing the applicant, was hopeful that a decision on the proposals would be reached by early next year.

READ MORE: Bid to 'relocate' East Links Family Park turned down

He said: “It goes without saying we were bitterly disappointed how the committee proceeded and, as with any application, we have our right to appeal.

“We have fulfilled that right and genuinely think it is a great thing for East Lothian.

“We will see what happens next.”

According to the plans, the East Fortune site would continue as a working farm while also having a range of attractions, including children’s play area featuring pedal go-karts and trampolines, and safe public access to enable viewing of animals “in order to deepen understanding and awareness of rural life, food production and indigenous wildlife”.

Members of the planning committee met at the beginning of June.

Planning officials within the local authority recommended that elected members refuse the application on four grounds.

READ MORE: Plans for family park at East Fortune Farm now revealed in full

Among the reasoning was that the proposed family farm park would be located within a rural location and not well served by public transport.

Concerns were also raised that the majority of visitors would travel to the attraction by car, with a lack of public transport and roadside paths sparking fears about safety.

Councillors highlighted another reason to turn down the application and pointed to the loss of agricultural land.

The proposals attracted more than 550 letters, with about 465 of those objecting to the plans.

Objectors had questioned whether the family park was really ‘relocating’ and said that the owner of the existing site had already said that new management would take it on.

Further concerns were also raised about road safety.

More than one million people have visited East Links Family Park since it first opened its doors in 2002.

However, current leaseholder Grant Bell has already said he will walk away when his lease ends.