Man told to rip out wall

East Lothian Council ordered Colin Cornish to remove the wall and accompanying gates at his home in Tranent. He appealed the decision, but the Scottish Government has since backed the local authority and dismissed his plea.

Mr Cornish carried out the work at Dolphingstone Cottages but was reprimanded by council chiefs in November.

Holyrood planning reporter Philip Hutchinson said he should reinstate the original fence that was in place. He said: “On the date when the notice was served a significant part of the development represented a breach of planning control.” But, he said, the council’s objection to other elements of the work was over the top.