AN HISTORIC building in the centre of North Berwick is set to be transformed from an office into an Oriental restaurant.

Plans for “alterations, extension and change of use of office to restaurant and associated works” at the former coach house building at 21 Westgate were submitted to East Lothian Council in October last year by Edinburgh firm Block 9 Architects on behalf of Belltest UK Ltd Properties.

Planners have now given the proposals the green light, meaning that the former office used by solicitors and estate agents Garden Stirling Burnet – who moved out more than a year ago – could soon re-open as a “good-quality restaurant offering Oriental dishes together with East Coast seafoods and traditional Scottish fare, with products and staff all locally sourced where possible”.

A number of conditions have been imposed on the approval of the plans, including that patio seating may only be used between 7am and 9pm.

The approval of these plans brings to an end a long-running debate over the future of the building, which was saved from demolition in 2015 when an application to knock it down and build flats on the histric site was rejected by the council’s planning committee.

The new proposals are for a 36-seater restaurant, with a bar and customer toilets also included.

The building has been the subject of a number of planning proposals previously, all of which have either been refused or withdrawn.

Tommy Todd, chairman of North Berwick Community Council, welcomed the decision.

He told the Courier: “It’s good to see the premises are going to be back in use and we wish the new proprietors every success in their new venture.”