Why did East Lothian Council vote to tear down historic Golf 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.

Edinburgh & East

Decision to tear down historic hotel called in by Scottish Ministers

East Lothian councillors voted to approve plans to tear down the Golf Hotel in North Berwick and replace it with 14 flats.

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 split

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.”

‘Cultural vandalism’

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.”

Government intervention

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.”