Revised plans have been put to East Lothian Council for the Coach House bulding at Westgate in North Berwick.

They are the second such plans to be put forward for the site at 21 Westgate, after the initial application was withdrawn, with several local groups voicing their concerns over the proposals.

North Berwick Community Council, the Scottish Civic Trust and town residents all objected to the proposed demolition of the historic building.

The Coach House was built in the 1800s and was awarded a Heritage Year Award in 1975 by the Scottish Civic Trust.

It is still the intention of the applicants to demolish the existing building.

Late last year, a campaign group was set up to make locals aware of the plans and have called themselves ‘Save North Berwick’. The group has more than 450 ‘likes’ on social media site Facebook.

A resident who is part of the Save North Berwick campaign and asked not to be named said of the original application: “They [applicants Melrose and Porteous, solicitors] have used every square inch of the site to propose something that is too big, too high, too wide and more suitable in Leith, which is fine for there, but not in the middle of a conservation area.

“It is outrageous that it has reached this stage but we just want to let people know about it.” That application was for a three-storey development of four flats, and in the design statement for the new application, Somner Macdonald Archtects, agents for the applicants, said they withdrew their previous application because of “significant level of opposition from neighbours”.

The statement continues: “The proposed development comprises a two-storey building, containing two single-storey flats, being one on each floor. There are four parking spaces provided.” However, some residents are still unhappy, and one, who asked not to be named, contacted the Courier on Monday.

He said: “There was considerable anger earlier in the year at such destruction in a conservation area and I would think the same feeling will prevail this time.

“I would expect similar outrage once the word gets out.” The deadline for members of the public to comment on the plans is August 19.