A NATIONAL group has added its voice to calls for an award-winning building to be saved from demolition.

Revised plans to demolish the old Coach House on Westgate were submitted to East Lothian Council last month, after earlier plans met with a large number of objections.

The new plans would see the 19th-centry building torn down and replaced with a two-storey block of flats.

The application from Melrose and Porteous did not win favour with North Berwick Community Council (NBCC) and the Scottish Civic Trust has now added its own concerns.

John Pelan, director of the Scottish Civic Trust, said: “The trust would suggest that the building is, in fact, notable for being a surviving 19th-century ancillary building, where many others have been lost to subsequent redevelopment of garden ground and backlands, and adds character to the streetscape.

“The trust therefore considers that the existing building does make a positive contribution to the character of the North Berwick Conservation Area, and every effort should be made to retain the building.” The national group, which is based in Glasgow, objected to plans submitted last year to demolish the building, with four flats to be created on the site.

Those plans have since been withdrawn but the Scottish Civic Trust remain convinced that demolishing the building would be the wrong move.

Mr Pelan added: “The existing building is in keeping with the character of the conservation area, having been developed in the same period as many of the surrounding properties, and features traditional materials and construction techniques such as natural rubble stone walling and a slate roof.

“The building was converted for use as offices in 1975, winning a Civic Trust Award for ‘protecting and enhancing our architectural heritage’.

“While winning an award does not make the building immune from demolition, it does help make the case that this is a building with history, significance and potential.” The developers have submitted a design statement, which acknowledged previous plans for four flats had “attracted significant opposition from neighbours”.

But the statement continues: “The existing building on the application site does not have significant architectural merit and does not make a significant contribution to the character and appearance of the North Berwick Conservation Area.

“Its removal and replacement with the proposed building, which is of similar form, massing and height, and has a more interesting treatment to the primary elevations, will not be harmful to the character and appearance of the conservation area.” The scheme came under criticism at a recent community council meeting when Sheila Sinclair, the group’s chairwoman, said: “I think it is pretty clear what our position is on this.” Similarly, a group of residents attended the meeting and outlined their concerns.

Lyn Ray, who lives at Marine Lodge, told the meeting: “If you come to North Berwick on the train, you will see the Coach House, but if these plans go ahead then [the proposed block of two flats] is the first thing that you will see. If that building goes, it is gone forever, and I think it is really important that we fight to keep it.”