Planning Committee grants permission for new flats in North Berwick
East Lothian Planning Committee met on Tuesday 4 March and heard three applications – two of which related to the former house and Golf Hotel at Dirleton Avenue, North Berwick.
Planners had recommended refusal of permission to build 14 flats on the site but, following a debate, committee voted six to four to overturn that recommendation and grant permission for the development. A total of 35 objections had been received, with reasons for the objections including that the loss of the hotel would add to the struggle for accommodation for visitors in North Berwick and that the demolition of the building would not preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the area.
Committee heard that the current building is not listed but is within the North Berwick Conservation Area. It has been vacant for four years. In a separate application, it was proposed that the building be demolished, to be replaced by the four storey, detached, flatted building. A total of 27 objections had been received.
The applications from Caledonian Heritable Ltd had been called off the Scheme of Delegation List by Councillor McFarlane for further discussion in light of East Lothian Council’s Affordable Housing Crisis. Following a debate, committee voted six to four in favour of granting permission for the demolition. Both applications will be brought back to committee for a final determination after a bat survey has been completed. Scottish Ministers will also be informed of the granting of consent to carry out the proposed demolition and may decide to call the application in for determination.
Retrospective permission for change of use of agricultural land to a dog exercise and day care business was granted eight votes to one but only for a year initially, after which the applicant will need to re-apply for permission. The development at Thorntonloch, Innerwick, has a condition applied, only allowing the operators to use the dog exercise facility between the hours of 8.30am and 1pm, Monday to Friday. The application had been called off the Scheme of Delegation List by Councillor Jardine due to local concerns. One objection had been received.
The relevant application numbers are: North Berwick, 24/01051/CAC and 24/01050/P and Innerwick, 24/00660/P.