Monday July 8th 2024
Gladsmuir Plant is based beside woodlands near the village in East Lothian.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
An asphalt plant operating in a rural areas has been given the go ahead to install two ‘welfare cabins’ for its workers.
The cabins, one of which will be a portable toilet and changing area, have been granted approval by East Lothian planners after they ruled they would be hidden in the woods and surrounding countryside location.
A report by officers said the small cabins, which measure around 3 metres high and are up to 6 metres long would be ‘well contained from public views”.
It said: “The proposed cabins seek to provide welfare facilities for employees at Gladsmuir Plant and thus have a direct operational requirement to be situated within the plant.
“Furthermore, the application site is bounded to the north by mature vegetation and due to the location and orientation of the site the proposed cabins would be well contained from public views.
“Therefore, by virtue of their form, size, design and positioning the proposed cabins would not be harmful to the character or appearance of the area or its countryside location.”
The planners report says the site was last used as a concrete batch plant but was granted planning permission in 2019 for an asphalt plant, office building, weighbridge and associated works adding that the permission has since been implemented.
No objections were lodged with the council to the proposals which were granted planning permission.
Health and Safety Executive policy dictates that all workers in construction and other similar sites, including moving or remote sites, must have access to drinking water, toilet and washing facilities and shelter that should include a place to rest, as well as a place to warm and eat their food. Storage must also be provided for clothing and personal belongings, as well as a space for drying outdoor clothing.
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