A PROMINENT Dunbar building looks set to be torn down in the New Year.

Winterfield Pagoda, known as Winterfield Pavilion, in Winterfield Park, is visible from the John Muir Way.

It was revealed last month that the building, originally created in the 1920s as a Pierrot stage facility for summer entertainment, was under threat. East Lothian Council produced an options paper, which looked at what could happen to the building.

The recommendation for the building, which had “no viable future and should be demolished”, was supported by the Council’s Corporate Asset Group last Friday.

Now, the building could be demolished in the spring and a spokeswoman for East Lothian Council said: “After an extensive review of options, including discussions with the community council and community groups, regrettably we could not see a sustainable future for the pavilion.

“Therefore, we will be putting a tender for its demolition out to tender in March.”

The building was converted in the 1960s into a shower and toilet block to serve a static and touring caravan park has been unused for at least 20 years, has suffered from vandalism and has also been fenced off.

The options paper looked at a variety of different possibilities, including “do nothing” with the pavilion.

This was deemed “not an option” as it would continue to deteriorate and detract from the amenity of the area.

Another possibility was to repair the building and ensure it was wind and watertight while looking for a new use. But the estimated cost was £40,000, with recurring costs for basic maintenance.

A third option looked at seeking to establish a new use for the building, which would require carrying out extensive refurbishments.

East Lothian Council’s report noted it was “difficult to estimate the cost” but it would be comparable to constructing a new building.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, a ward member, stressed the demolition did not mean a replacement facility could not be built.

He told the Courier: “We have been under pressure for it to removed because it is a bit of an eyesore within the park. We have also looked to see if there was a way to get it back into use but we have not been able to do that.”