TYNINGHAME is a picture postcard conservation village in East Lothian situated just west of Dunbar and a decent commute into Edinburgh.

With its rows of pink cottages, it could easily be the sort of place that John Nettles would pitch up in to solve a myriad of mysterious murders committed by the affluent residents on each other.

In short it sounds a very pleasant place to visit on a warm summer’s day as thousands indeed do as it sits on a popular cycling route and is close to the coast.

But while you are no doubt guaranteed to be a shown a warm welcome, it is better all round if you leave the village before 5pm, or else all sorts may happen to you.

Quite what happens after dark is not clear but I suspect it's not an all-night rave, Or even a dinner party.

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How do I know this? Well judging by an extraordinary row this week over a café’s bid to extend its alcohol licence, locals don’t like ‘outsiders’ hanging about even for an early dinner.

And please don’t even consider hanging around until it gets dark – even in the depths of winter.

Twyninghame, apparently, doesn’t have any street lights as the locals like it to be a ‘dark sky’ place with no light pollution, presumably so they can all go outside and stare at the stars.

Thus locals objected to the café’s bid to serve because it would ruin the community’s ‘dark sky’ reputation and even more bizarrely, it might encourage ‘outsiders’ to visit.

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In total 17 objections to Tyninghame Country Store being given a licence to serve alcohol until 10pm at night, were lodged with the council’s licensing board.

Among concerns raised were the impact on the village’s “dark sky” which sees no street lights or light pollution. Objectors argued that the traditional lack of lighting would make it a target for criminals.

They said: “A licensed premises with alcohol stored is a very attractive target for the unscrupulous. I would be concerned that as we are a dark village criminals might see it as an easy target.”

Another added: “Tyninghame is a low or non-crime area. This is because there is no reason for non-residents to come to the village after 4pm unless visiting friends, family or attending an event at the village hall. The extension of hours the cafe has applied for would encourage outsiders to be and stay around the village longer, potentially drinking, and could result in crime and disorder.”

The council ignored their objections and granted the licence anyway after the owner promised he was unlikely to ever use it.

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Of course, local residents have every right to object to what they like - it is their home after all, but it's hard to get away from the villagers being a tad unfriendly, if not downright hostile.

Locals should, perhaps, carefully reflect on or they may find that ‘outsiders’ may just give the place a miss altogether even in the daylight given their hostility to visitors.

Perhaps, if they are that worried about a sudden crime spree, maybe it would be a good idea to turn the street lights back on so people can see actually what’s going on.

Twyninghame is close to several medium sized towns and I’m sure if ‘unscrupulous’ ne’er-do- wells fancy nicking some booze then they will find more booty there - and they’d be able to see where their going as they flee the scene too.

But it is reassuring that Nimbyism is alive and well and thriving in the dark of East Lothian