EAST Lothian Council has admitted that messages it sent to people objecting to revamped proposals for parking charges in North Berwick "could have been phrased differently". 

On Monday, the Courier reported that some residents had been unhappy at receiving emails from the council requesting they withdraw their objections to the plans for the town centre, labelling them "intimidating" and "insulting".

In August, the local authority revealed plans for four separate traffic regulation orders (TROs) which aimed “to simplify the presentation of [previous] proposals”.

READ MORE: Council accused of intimidating parking charge objectors

Emails seen by the Courier at the time showed an East Lothian Council (ELC) worker attempting to address objectors' concerns and then asking them if they would remove their comments in regard to the consultation.

At the end of one lengthy response to a resident who wished to remain anonymous, one council worker wrote: "I trust the above response addresses the objections made and would be grateful if you could write back to me withdrawing your objection." 

On approaching East Lothian Council, a spokesperson had previously said: "Consultation responses and objections will be fully assessed and a report brought forward to a future council meeting for debate and determination.

"Any allegations regarding comments made during the process can be raised through appropriate channels for investigation.

“We are in the process of responding to objectors. Through this process, we seek to address comments/concerns and then seek to explore if they would be willing to withdraw their objections.”

However, this week a council spokesperson told the Courier: “Officers have been replying to issues raised during the consultation process with further information on the proposals.

"The intention was to determine if the correspondent felt that their concerns had been suitably addressed and, therefore, it could be set aside.

"There was no obligation for them to withdraw any objection. If no response was received, the objection would remain and will be considered by East Lothian Council.

"We accept the message could have been phrased differently to avoid confusion and have since updated the letter.”

Kenny Miller, chair of North Berwick Community Council, said : "The fact that, in the first instance, this was the way that the letters were sent out is shocking. 

"The council should think very carefully about sending out letters in that tone and manner again."