The plans were originally turned down by councillors in January 2015, but that decision was overturned on appeal by a Scottish Government Reporter.

The council dropped plans to challenge the appeal following legal advice.

There will be 10 semi-detached houses, 20 terraced houses and 10 single-storey bungalows.

The plans were given unanimous approval by East Lothian Council, but Councillor Norman Hampshire, convenor of the planning committee, said his colleagues “are not happy that a decision has been taken out of our hands” by the Scottish Government.