Plans for a drive-thru car wash on a former petrol station site next to a large retail park have been thrown out - after planners ruled it was in the countryside.
Applicants Gleam Machine Haddington wanted to open the new car wash and valeting service at the entrance to Haddington, just yards from the Gateside Retail Park which opened two years ago.
But while East Lothian planners acknowledged the proposed site had been a petrol station in the past, they insisted it was still countryside and said the car wash would detract from its surroundings, including the retail park itself.
READ MORE: East Lothian developer to pay £1.3m towards new school spaces
Refusing planning permission for the new venture, planners said: "The proposed car wash facilities and associated works is not directly related to agriculture, horticulture, forestry, infrastructure or countryside recreation.
"It is therefore a business that does not have an operational requirement for this countryside location."
Officers said that while the site had previously been used as a petrol station and cafe much of that land had been used as part of Haddington Retail Park with open landscaping created to create 'attractive green space' between where the park is and the proposed car wash site.
They said the new car wash would be too prominent on the site and would be 'harmfully intrusive and incongruous'.
The car wash facility would have been located a short distance from the Oak Tree junction onto the A1 to the west of Gateside Retail Park.
Concerns were also raised about the impact of traffic entering and exiting the car wash on the high speed road although a 60mph speed limit on it was recently reduced to 40mph by East Lothian Council as part of its safer spaces programme which saw all town centres reduced to 20mph limits across the county.
The Oak Tree junction is a gateway into the market town of Haddington.
Planners refused permission for the facility on the grounds it was unpermitted new development in the countryside, would have a negative impact on road safety and would not be the sort of development that would 'complement this important gateway location into Haddington'.
READ NEXT:
Claims East Lothian restaurant extension would be new 'outdoor' area dismissed
Private car park at East Lothian beauty spot can remain - despite wave of protests
Troubled East Lothian nursery has seen 'significant improvements' inspectors say
East Lothian gala allowed to serve alcohol after arguing event not just for children
Artisan East Lothian drinks firm to hold tasting sessions at industrial estate
