Latest news with #EastLothian
STV News
16 hours ago
- Business
- STV News
Decision to tear down historic hotel called in by Scottish Ministers
A decision to let a historic hotel be demolished has been called in by Scottish Ministers after councillors went against their own officers' advice. East Lothian councillors voted to approve plans to tear down the Golf Hotel in North Berwick and replace it with 14 flats at a meeting earlier this year. The decision went against planning officers recommendations and objections from Historic Environment Scotland who are a statutory body. In a letter to the local authority, Scottish Ministers have confirmed they will consider the application themselves and issue a decision. It comes after the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS) also called for Government intervention describing the unlisted building as 'architecturally distinguished' adding it occupies a 'key position in the North Berwick conservation area. The Golf Hotel closed commercially in 2006 and had been used by its owners for staff accommodation until it was bought by its current owners during the pandemic. However, plans to demolish the building and build 14 flats on the site, on Dirleton Avenue, were recommended for refusal by planning officers who said it had not been proven that the hotel could not continue to operate as a commercial venture. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) objected to its demolition after describing the building as having historic and architectural significance in the town. At a planning committee meeting in March, East Lothian councillors heard the former hotel had initially been a house for a single family who used it in the last century as a holiday home, bringing their own cattle with them so the children did not have to drink local milk. Caledonian Heritable bought the building in 2021 and applied for permission to demolish it and build 14 luxury flats on the site. Objectors to the demolition said the building should be given listed status and was an important part of the town's conservation area. A council spokesperson said: 'Scottish Ministers have called in the application for the demolition of the former Golf Hotel meaning it will now be for them to determine. 'We have submitted the necessary information required to begin the process and made all local members, the community council and objectors aware of this action.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
East Lothian lifeboat crews race to rescue capsized kayaker
East Lothian lifeboat crews were called to rescue a capsized kayaker near North Berwick after they could be seen clinging onto the hull of the small watercraft. The North Berwick RNLI crew were alerted to the incident after concerned members of the public called the coastguard to report that a kayak had capsized at around 7.29pm on Saturday, July 26. Volunteer crew members jumped into action, leaving the North Berwick Pipe Band's 125 th Anniversary, making their way through crowds on foot and bike to help the person in distress. Once on the water, the crew were on the scene within 7 minutes and the Aberdeen Coastguard Rescue Coordination Centre were able to direct them to the casualty. READ MORE: Edinburgh St James Quarter worker claims 'things weren't being maintained' READ MORE: Forth Road Bridge closed in both directions as drivers urged to 'avoid the area' Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Matthew Gibbons, volunteer helm at North Berwick said 'With the glare of the low sun, and the size of the waves the casualty was hard to spot, They had also drifted about half a nautical mile from the first reported position.' 'Despite being a little tired from grappling with the slippery kayak for at least half an hour, the casualty was fit and well. We thank the members of the public who called 999 for the Coastguard straight away, which enable a swift and successful outcome for the casualty.' 'If you're heading out on the water, even the most experienced of us can get caught out by the conditions. Always wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, carry a waterproofed means of calling for help and tell someone ashore of your plans. If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, try not to panic, but float on your back to conserve energy.' The casualty was checked over before being landed ashore at Yellowcraig Beach and handed into the care of North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team and awaiting family. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Yahoo
East Lothian children's worker mocked child and said another 'reeks of cat pee'
An East Lothian children's practitioner mocked a child and told a colleague another youngster 'smelt like cat pee'. Avril Davidson was given a 12-month warning on her registration last week following a hearing with the Scottish Social Services Council in which several comments she about children in her care were referenced. While working as a practitioner in Musselburgh, Davidson said to a colleague: "look he's going to cry," referring to a child. Several months later, in February 2024, she refused to let a colleague help paint the kitchen, claiming she was a "liability." READ MORE: Edinburgh couple victorious in years-long battle with neighbours over hedge READ MORE: Edinburgh couple say 'this isn't the end' after decision in hedge dispute Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. The comment reportedly made the member of staff feel upset. On or around February 22, Davidson stated to a colleague that a child "reeks of cat p**h and has all week" in the presence of other children. The regulator noted how the comments made regarding the first child took place at an after-school club and all three incidents placed colleagues and children at risk of emotional harm. The council also told how Davidson has not cooperated with their investigation or shown any remorse or apologised for the pattern of behaviour. They wrote: "While in the after-school club you said to your colleague ZZ about child AA 'look he's going to cry', or words to that effect to mock AA. You later spoke to your colleague YY stating that she could not help paint the kitchen as she was a 'liability' or words to that effect, causing her to feel upset. "At a later date you said to your colleague XX that child BB 'reeks of cats p**h' or words to that effect which was said in the presence of other children. The misconduct placed both the children and your colleague at the risk of emotional harm. "Although it is not at the most serious end of the scale, we have concluded there is a risk of repetition as you have not engaged with the SSSC or shown any remorse or insight. You have not given us any reassurances that you have reflected and learned from the misconduct and that it is unlikely to happen again."
The Guardian
21-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Trees should not be given celebrity status
As an arborist for over 25 years, I would not disagree with your editorial (18 July) that trees are literally part of the air we breathe. What I object to is the rise of the celebrity tree. All trees are equally important. In terms of the natural environment, the Sycamore Gap was just a tree, no more no less. The men who cut it down arguably deserve to be punished, but if they had been given community sentences working in woods, for example, they may have benefited from some shinrin-yoku and emerged as more enlightened GoetzeeLiverpool No mention of Spike Milligan's cure for sea sickness in your praise of trees. It always GlenPort Seton, East Lothian My Belgian mother liked cricket so much that she became the official scorer for my father's club (Letters, 18 July). She claimed that she took up scoring to avoid the fate of cricket wives – making the tea. But she enjoyed a day out at Edgbaston and never missed Test Match Special on BBC CampionTimperley, Greater Manchester Some advice for Paul Comaish for his cunning plan to get around the hosepipe ban (Letters, 18 July) – I was advised by a gardener to use the product fresh and dilute it 10:1 with water for best FeltonCrewe, Cheshire I always knew no good would come from going to a Coldplay concert (Tech CEO caught with company's HR head..., 19 July).Michael Leigh Nottingham Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
The Independent
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Josh Taylor forced to retire as former undisputed champion shares emotional update
Former undisputed world champion Josh Taylor has been forced to retire from boxing due to a recurring eye injury. Scotsman Taylor, 34, became the first Briton to become undisputed champion in the four-belt era when he ruled over the super-lightweight division between May 2021 and May 2022. But following medical advice, Taylor has announced that he has had to step away from the ring permanently, with a persistent eye problem forcing his retirement. In an emotional statement on X, Taylor wrote: 'This isn't an easy post for me to write, but on the advice of my doctors, it's sadly a necessary one. As has been publicised before, I've had a recurring issue with my eye that unfortunately means I have to call time on my career or risk losing my eyesight. 'Whilst the fighter in me always wants to box on, I know I have to listen to the medical professionals and save me from myself. It is certainly not the way I wanted to bow out, but I have to listen to the doctors and those around me. 'I am just a kid from the Pans [Prestopans, East Lothian] who scaled the very top of the sport but I could not have done it without those who have supported me, through thick and thin.' Taylor enjoyed a sensational professional career after bursting onto the scene at the London 2012 Olympics, with his crowning moment coming in Las Vegas in 2021. There, he beat Jose Ramirez to unify all four major super-lightweight championships, making history as the first ever undisputed champion to hail from the UK. After edging Jack Catterall in front of a vociferous home crowd at Glasgow's OVO Hydro, he fought at the hallowed Madison Square Garden, where he lost to Teofimo Lopez. This was the first of a string of three defeats, which included Catterall avenging his contentious loss in Leeds, before he was most recently beaten by Ekow Essuman for the vacant WBO welterweight title in May of this year. That would prove his final act in the ring, with Taylor revealing his forced retirement plans less than two months on. Taylor thanked his fans for their continued support, especially those who travelled to New York City to watch him fight Lopez at MSG. 'The Tartan Tornado' also showed his appreciation to the promoters who represented him throughout his career, namely Top Rank and Queensbury, as well as his sponsors, coaches, lawyers and his family. 'It's now time for me to reflect in a one-in-70-millioncareer and look forward to what's coming next,' Taylor finished.
