Plan to turn former gallery on John Muir Way trail into holiday lets

A former gallery on the John Muir Way trail could be demolished to make way for holiday apartments under proposals with East Lothian Council.

Listed building consent for the work in the village of Dirleton has been granted by planners for the redevelopment of the former gallery and laundry rooms.

The plans have been put forward by the owners of Category-B listed Auburn House on the village green.

They want to demolish the gallery building which lies to the side of their property, on neighbouring Manse Road, extend the house and build two new holiday apartments on the road, which is part of the John Muir Way.

A report by planners revealed they had received eight objections to the plans, although five of them came from the same two people as well as an objection from Dirleton Village Association.

Among concerns were the impact of the new building on the historic village centre, views of the village Kirk being affected, and holidaymakers using electric vehicles which “make no noise”.

One objection said: “The additional garages and holiday accommodation traffic will not realise how busy the road gets and that accidents will occur.

“This would be exacerbated by the use of electric vehicles which make no noise and therefore pedestrians and cyclists won’t hear them. A risk assessment should be carried out.”

However, agents for the applicants Stuart Feather and Sheila Rodgers argued the existing building on Manse Road is an ‘unsympathetic element in the conservation area and requires substantial work to make it even vaguely suitable for modern use’.

Instead, they said the new proposals would complement the main house and break up the massing of the existing building, allowing more views toward Dirleton Kirk tower.

Planning officers granted listed building consent for the plans. A separate planning application for the work is currently lodged with the local authority.