PROPOSED cuts to services in Longniddry will have a “detrimental effect” on the village, it has been claimed.

Longniddry Community Council has submitted a letter of objection to East Lothian Council outlining the impact of recent cuts across community facilities.

The village has recently seen significant expansion, with hundreds of homes currently being built to the south of the East Coast Main Line.

READ MORE: New car park planned to support expanding Longniddry

Following a recent meeting of Longniddry Community Council, secretary Marilyn Young wrote a letter to East Lothian Council on behalf of the members of the group, highlighting the “severe blow” to the village as a result of recent cuts. 

The letter reads: “We are most concerned and dismayed by the continual chipping away at our services, in particular to the library and the community centre. 

“Both of these services are extremely valuable to the residents of the village and are well used."

Beginning in August following an announcement from the local authority, the village's library is open on alternate Saturdays.

At a meeting of Longniddry Community Council on Monday, chairperson Helen York shared how the reduced hours were affecting residents.

She said: "They cut hours so much on the library, folk come down and they don't know if it's open or closed!"

The letter of objection continued: “Longniddry is a growing village with around 500 houses presently being built, and we have since learned that developers will be asking for even more housing capacity in respect of the Local Development Plan.”

READ MORE: East Lothian could get 9,000 more homes in the next 10 years

Also mentioned in the letter is the local authority’s announcement that it will no longer maintain the grass at local bowling greens.

The community council described the prospect of losing Longniddry Bowling Club as a "hammer blow" for residents. 

Longniddry Bowling Club, Seton Road.The letter concludes: “We do, however, realise that this letter will more than likely serve no purpose, as these cuts will still keep taking place but, as a community council who work for and care for our community, we would like it to be on record that we strongly object to these changes that are being made and would hope that these will only be temporary measures for as short a time as possible.”

Marilyn said at the recent meeting: "It is what it is. There's not a lot we can do about it."

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: “The council continues to operate in the most difficult financial climate it has ever faced, with increasing demand and cost pressures which are resulting in significant financial pressures and projected funding gaps.

“A number of mitigation measures, including some recruitment restrictions, are currently in place.

"These have enabled us to deliver savings and continue providing services, albeit at a reduced level in the library and community centre.

"We recognise that local facilities are valued in communities.

“At the council budget meeting in February, it was agreed to undertake a review of the management and maintenance of sports facilities.

“After this, we wrote to bowling club committees highlighting that, due to significant financial pressures, alternative maintenance arrangements were required.

READ MORE: Council to stop maintaining greens at 10 bowling clubs

“A number of other clubs have operated their own maintenance arrangements successfully for many years. We have been committed to working with clubs to ensure a smooth transition.”