Saturday February 21st 2026
Retirement livery is based at Congalton Gardens, outside North Berwick
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
A couple refused permission to build a home next to their specialist horse business lost their appeal despite splitting the vote of councillors.
Carrie McDonald and her partner Greig Baynham established Congalton Garden Stables in East Lothian in 2018 and specialise in caring for ill and elderly horses but said without being able to live on the site they cannot expand the business.
But when they applied for permission to build what they argued was housing for essential workers’ at the rural business the application was rejected because the council’s consultants did not believe it was a ‘viable business’.
At this week’s Local Review Body councillors were split over the viability of the business with two members saying allowing the house would allow it to grow while the other two agreed with officers.
Councillor Jeremy Findlay said he had seen the books for the business, adding: “I feel if they were able to increase the turnover of the business it would
become a viable business.
“It is almost charitable, I know it is not a charity, in that it is mainly elderly and ill horses so I would give some leeway on viability of that. I think there is a need for someone to be on-site and for those reasons I am going to go against officers.”
And Councillor Neil Gilbert said: “While I agree the officer raises concerns about viability I am satisfied this is an established rural enterprise which has been on site since 2018 providing specialist required livery services that require close supervision.
“I am not convinced viability should be judged solely on financial thresholds without giving weight to the need and potential growth.”
However review body chairperson Norman Hampshire said while he agreed over the viability argument he was concerned by the size of the site included in the plans for the house.
He said: “I think if people live on that site they could develop the business further and people using the facility would feel more comfortable with someone living on site.
“I am not comfortable about the size of the area being used for this house. Had it been on a much smaller area of land I would have been in a position to go against officers.
“If an application comes forward in the future I would be more willing to support it if the area included was smaller.”
He was backed by Councillor Andy Forrest who said he would be backing the officers decision. With a two/two split on the vote the final decision was taken by the chairperson Councillor Hampshire who threw out the appeal.
Earlier in the meeting proceeding came to a halt and the live webcast was cut for several minutes after a challenge was made over who chaired the meeting.
Councillor Hampshire, who is Labour council leader and planning convenor, was nominated by Councillor Forrest (Labour)and seconded by Councillor Findlay (Cons) before Councillor Gilbert (SNP) called for Councillor Findlay to take the chair telling the meeting: “As it is Councillor Findlay’s ward I’d like to nominate him for chair of this LRB (meeting).
Councillor Findlay then appeared to withdraw his support for the council leader before being told by Councillor Hampshire: “I don’t know how we deal with this because you cannot second yourself and I’m not going to second you nor is Councillor Forrest.”
When asked if he would stand down Mr Hampshire said: “I am not willing to stand down”.
The website was then paused coming back with Mr Hampshire in the chair.
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