THE FORMER Golf Hotel in North Berwick is set to be transformed into a 17-bed "apart-hotel" after East Lothian Council approved revised plans that aim to preserve the historic property following the Scottish Government's rejection of an earlier demolition proposal.
Caledonian Heritable Ltd owns 34 Dirleton Avenue, which has stood empty for years.
The company has been granted planning permission to convert the once-19-bedroom hotel into a 17-bedroom "apart-hotel", featuring self-catering suites operating with a hotel-style booking system.
The approved proposals include building new wings, a partial demolition, upgraded landscaping and modern, energy-efficient services, to bring the property back into use for visitor accommodation while retaining aspects of the original stone‑built structure.
The two‑storey building, with attic and lower ground level, has lain empty for around five years but is described by planners in their report as a key component of Dirleton Avenue and the North Berwick conservation area.
Last year, proposals to demolish the building and replace it with 14 flats were initially backed by East Lothian Council's planning committee against officers' advice.
However, Historic Environment Scotland objected and Scottish ministers called in the conservation area consent application before ultimately refusing permission for demolition in November 2025.
The revised proposal responds directly to that decision by retaining the main building while removing later additions and constructing sympathetic extensions.
Alongside the new bedrooms, two self-contained apartments with their own entrances, alongside a reception, communal lounge and dining area, are to be built.
The extensions will replace more recent additions to the rear and side of the building, using reclaimed sandstone and slate salvaged from the demolished sections wherever possible.
The planning officers' report states that, although the additions are substantial, they "would not overwhelm or compete with the original building, which would remain the focus of its setting".
Officers also concluded that the scheme would not overdevelop the area, nor harm the character of the surrounding conservation area.
The report also notes that average visitor stays in East Lothian have increased to 5.6 nights, with growing demand from families, golfers and international visitors for flexible accommodation; this new development would help to support the growing need for temporary stays in the town.
The scheme includes parking for 14 vehicles, electric vehicle charging points, secure cycle storage, landscaping and biodiversity improvements, including new tree planting, bird boxes and bat boxes.
Seven existing trees will be removed while 12 new trees will be planted around the site.
Three objections were lodged, raising concerns over traffic, parking, the impact on the conservation area, and the demolition of parts of the building, and suggesting the site would be better suited for housing.
Planning officers concluded that the revised proposal complied with both National Planning Framework 4 and the East Lothian Local Development Plan - and recommended approval subject to 16 planning conditions.
Among those conditions are restrictions ensuring the self-contained apartments can only be used as short-term visitor accommodation rather than permanent homes; requirements to reuse salvaged stone and slate; protect bats and nesting birds; install electric vehicle charging points; provide a travel plan encouraging sustainable transport; and deliver measures to reduce the development's carbon emissions.
Kenny Miller, chairman of North Berwick Community Council, "The more recent scheme presented was more acceptable than the first as it retains more of the original building.
"It will be interesting to see what happens next after the owners threats."
Here, Mr Miller is referring to comments made by Caledonian Heritable owner Kevin Doyle at a 2025 public meeting, when he warned that, if demolition was blocked, the building could be sold on and used as migrant or HMO accommodation.
Caledonia Heritable have been approached for comment.
