Midlothian Council has been accused of showing a 'disproportionate amount of concern' for developers in a row over new housing in Gorebridge.
Plans to build nearly 100 new homes in the village were this week approved despite concerns over the impact on local schools and nearly 80 objections from local residents.
The plans for 96 new homes at a site at Newbyres were submitted nearly 20 years after Midlothian Council first earmarked the site for housing in its Local Development Plan.
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However local residents had argued that since it was put forward for housing, development around it had changed its suitability.
Gorebridge Community Council pointed out that a single access route planned for the site would provide a "tortuous access route for emergency vehicles".
And they questioned the council's willingness to push forward with the site despite claims traffic and infrastructure reports were based on out-dated information.
They said: "The council appear to show a disproportionate amount of concern for the wishes and expectations of the contractor when we would very gently say that it is the contractor who stands to gain in this instance, and so their wishes or expectations must be aligned to those of the community."
In total 79 objections were lodged against the plans from local residents who pointed to the pressure it would put on schools, public services, as well as the roads network and amenity of the area.
At yesterday's meeting concerns were raised that the site was first identified for housing nearly 20 years ago before other developments had taken place in the community.
And committee members heard about a video shared on social media of an HGV mounting kerbs trying to enter the site on the route proposed as its main access road.
Councillor Douglas Bowen warned: "I can see lorries skidding off the road or getting stuck and considerable danger to pedestrians and cyclists."
Following calls for more controls to be put in place to oversee the construction of the housing and transport in and out of the site councillors were asked to approve the application with amendments.
Councillor Derek Milligan put forward a motion rejecting the planning application over concerns about the entrance and exit proposals for the housing which he said went against Scottish Government guidance which required two entrances and exits.
He said: "I have major concerns that if we do have an accident and a vehicle jamming up the site how do emergency vehicles then gain access?"
The committee voted by eight votes to five to approve the planning application with amendments.
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