THE demolition of a historic Scottish hotel has been halted after SNP ministers stepped in.
East Lothian councillors had 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.
However, the decision went against planning officers recommendations and objections from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) who are a statutory consultee – meaning their view must be taken into consideration.
In a letter to the local authority, Scottish Government Ministers have now confirmed they will consider the application themselves and issue a decision.
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.
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.
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.”
