AN ICONIC building at the heart of a Dunbar park could be demolished within weeks, after the possibility of bats living in it was ruled out.

Winterfield Pagoda, also known as Winterfield Pavilion, was originally earmarked for demolition in December 2015.

However, it was suggested in November last year that the building, which dates back to the 1920s, could in fact be home to a bat colony.

A survey of the building was carried out over recent weeks to check if the mammals were roosting there.

Initial reports suggested that was not the case and, last Tuesday morning, a spokeswoman for East Lothian Council said: “After further discussions with Scottish Natural Heritage, they have assessed that there is no evidence of bats in Winterfield Pavilion, so we have been given the go-ahead to demolish the building.

“We’re currently liaising with the contractor and this will be progressed as soon as possible.”

The spokeswoman was unable to confirm any potential timeframe for demolition but it was hoped to be before May, when the full survey was originally due to be complete.

If the survey had indicated that there were bats, East Lothian Council would have had re-think all the options.

The pavilion was originally created as a Pierrot stage for summer entertainment.

However, the building, at the heart of Winterfield Park, off the town’s North Road, was converted into a shower and toilet block to serve a static and touring caravan park in the 1960s.

In recent years, it has become a target for vandalism and has lain empty for at least 20 years.

In 2015, an options paper was drawn up by the council on the building’s future.

That looked at a range of possibilities, including simply doing nothing with it, as well as making the pavilion wind and watertight. However, the agreed recommendation was to demolish it.

The area will be grassed rather than given a tarmac surface, at the request of the Friends of Winterfield.