Councillors defy demolishing local hotel for flats. Bat survey, historic review needed.
Plans arose to tear the hotel down, with the intention to build fourteen flats there. The site is on Dirleton Avenue and planning officers suggested refusing the plans, as many locals objected too.
East Lothian Council’s planning group met Tuesday and voted to allow the demolition. They okayed the plans for new flats as well, reversing the initial advice.
Both applications need more review soon. The committee learned a bat survey is needed and this must happen before construction begins.
The planned demolition faces another hurdle because the hotel sits in North Berwick’s protected area. Historic Environment Scotland objected to the work, so Scottish Ministers must now review it.
The council heard some hotel history, noting it began as a family’s holiday home where they even brought their own cows. This ensured safe milk for the children!
Caledonian Brewery bought the place in 2021. They sought permission to demolish it soon after and planned to erect fourteen luxury flats.
Some people want to protect the hotel and think it deserves listed status, claiming it is important to the town. Councillors voted against this idea.
Councillors voted six to four and went against their officers’ advice; they approved demolishing the old hotel now.
Councillors also approved the new flats idea and disagreed with their planning officers. The plans will return for final approval after the bat survey.