East Lothian Council’s planning committee met yesterday and heard the two applications which related to the former house and Golf Hotel at Dirleton Avenue.

Planners had recommended refusal of permission to build 14 flats on the site but, following a debate, the council’s planning 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.

The 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, the 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.