Latest news with #HistoricEnvironmentScotland
STV News
17 hours ago
- Business
- STV News
Why did council vote to tear down historic hotel against advice?
A decision to let a historic hotel be demolished has been called in by the Scottish Government after councillors went against advice. East Lothian councillors were split over the decision to approve plans to tear down the Golf Hotel in North Berwick – with the local authority leader given the casting vote. The hotel closed commercially in 2006 and was used by its owners as staff accommodation until it was bought by its current owners during the pandemic. Caledonian Heritable bought the building in 2021 and applied for permission to demolish it and build 14 luxury flats on the site on Dirleton Avenue. However, the proposals 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. During a planning committee meeting on July 25, the controversial proposal was voted on. Councillors were split evenly: four approved the proposal, and four rejected it. Council leader Norman Hampshire had the deciding vote and opted to approve the plans, citing that the current building is 'nothing like' what it was. The Labour councillor said: 'The building is in really poor condition and it has been for some considerable time. 'I don't think it has any enhancement to the conservation area, and I'm really surprised that Historic Environment Scotland seem to only come in to applications when certain influential people come in to notify them of things. 'There is no consistency in how they respond to this planning authority.' However, the representative for the North Berwick coastal ward, SNP councillor Liz Allan, believes the plans to demolish the building are an act of 'cultural vandalism.' She said: 'We are replacing something that is quite beautiful and could be changed into something, that I wouldn't say is hideous, but it is certainly dull. 'I think it is really going to be a blight on the landscape, so I don't think I can make myself any clearer, I am definitely against this.' 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. The AHSS described the unlisted building as 'architecturally distinguished' and added that it occupies a 'key position in the North Berwick conservation area.' Objectors to the demolition said the building should be given listed status and was an important part of the town's conservation area. A spokesperson for Historic Environment Scotland (HES), said: 'We were consulted by East Lothian Council on an application for the total demolition of 34 Dirleton Avenue, a former Golf Hotel in North Berwick, which is within the North Berwick Conservation Area. 'We objected to the application in October 2024 as the building contributes to the character of the Conservation Area and the application did not justify the loss of this building against relevant national policy and guidance.' 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
STV News
18 hours ago
- Business
- STV News
Councillors split over decision to push ahead with demolition of historic hotel
East Lothian councillors were split over the decision to approve plans to tear down a historic hotel – with the local authority leader given the casting vote. The Golf Hotel in North Berwick closed commercially in 2006 and was used by its owners as staff accommodation until it was bought by its current owners during the pandemic. Caledonian Heritable bought the building in 2021 and applied for permission to demolish it and build 14 luxury flats on the site on Dirleton Avenue. However, the proposals 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. During a planning committee meeting on July 25, the controversial proposal was voted on. Councillors were split evenly: four approved the proposal, and four rejected it. Council leader Norman Hampshire had the deciding vote and opted to approve the plans, citing that the current building is 'nothing like' what it was. The Labour councillor said: 'The building is in really poor condition and it has been for some considerable time. 'I don't think it has any enhancement to the conservation area, and I'm really surprised that Historic Environment Scotland seem to only come in to applications when certain influential people come in to notify them of things. 'There is no consistency in how they respond to this planning authority.' However, the representative for the North Berwick coastal ward, SNP councillor Liz Allan, believes the plans to demolish the building are an act of 'cultural vandalism.' She said: 'We are replacing something that is quite beautiful and could be changed into something, that I wouldn't say is hideous, but it is certainly dull. 'I think it is really going to be a blight on the landscape, so I don't think I can make myself any clearer, I am definitely against this.' 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. The AHSS described the unlisted building as 'architecturally distinguished' and added that it occupies a 'key position in the North Berwick conservation area.' Objectors to the demolition said the building should be given listed status and was an important part of the town's conservation area. A spokesperson for Historic Environment Scotland (HES), said: 'We were consulted by East Lothian Council on an application for the total demolition of 34 Dirleton Avenue, a former Golf Hotel in North Berwick, which is within the North Berwick Conservation Area. 'We objected to the application in October 2024 as the building contributes to the character of the Conservation Area and the application did not justify the loss of this building against relevant national policy and guidance.' 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
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Scottish Ministers call in hotel demolition decision
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. And 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 evening 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.' By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
STV News
2 days 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
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Decision on historic East Lothian 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. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... 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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 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. Former Golf Hotel set to be demolished for new flats | Google Maps 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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And 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 evening 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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 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.'
