ANGRY community councillors felt they had been “duped” after an application for an extension to Whynot? was approved.

The application, for an extension and outdoor seating to the rear of the High Street premises, was granted by East Lothian Council’s planning committee this month.

Ward councillors and local residents had raised concerns over the outdoor seating aspect of the application.

Adam Elder, who runs Whynot?, which is home to various independent traders, made a presentation to the community council when the application was first submitted and said then that the outdoor seating was “a mistake” and would be rectified on the application.

However, the seating aspect remained part of the planning application, which was later approved.

That brought an angry reaction from Bill Macnair, vice-chairman of North Berwick Community Council (NBCC) .

He said at their meeting: “So what you are telling me is that we’ve been told one thing, but we’ve got something completely different? We were told there would not be any outside seating, but that is what the application is for. I feel like we’ve been duped.”

Jim Goodfellow, ward councillor and a member of the planning committee, told the community council: “The opinion of the planning officials was that if there is a 1.8-metre fence it would be acceptable.”

Mr Macnair, though, was disappointed for local residents, who had attended an earlier NBCC meeting to voice their concerns at the application.

He added: “The residents were put at ease that it was going to be changed and there wasn’t going to be outside seating.”

Fellow community councillor Hilary Smith, though, said: “Just because he has planning permission does not mean he will exercise it.”, a view Mr Macnair described as “naive.

While Sheila Sinclair added: “I think we should write to Adam [Elder] and express our disappointment.”

Noise concerns were also raised by local residents, but Mr Goodfellow said the council’s noise team would deal with any complaints, although it is not expected to be an issue, as the extension will only be open between 10am and 5.30pm.

After lengthy debate, the community council agreed to draft a letter to Mr Elder, voicing their concerns.