A FAMILY-RUN hotel could be demolished and a new hotel built in its place.

The 18-bedroom Mallard Hotel in Gullane would be torn down and replaced by a new 25-bedroom version, under plans from Structured House Group.

The new hotel would have a larger footprint on the site, off the village’s East Links Road, with a secondary access at the rear from Hamilton Crescent.

Parking would also be created at the rear of the building.

However, the village’s community council has aired concerns about the size of the proposed development and how it would impact upon roads in the village.

According to the proposals, now being considered by East Lothian Council’s planning department, the plans seek “to enhance and support the existing character and nature of the site”.

A basement in the building would be used by staff, accessed from the East Links Road end of the site.

On the ground floor, a reception area and bar would be created at the eastern side of the site, with a connecting corridor linking the building to nine bedrooms at the Hamilton Crescent section of the site and also providing access to the stairs linking the building to the first and second floors.

Views out over the golf course would be on offer at a restaurant on the first floor, with a further 10 bedrooms at the rear.

On the second floor, there would be six bedrooms on the eastern side of the building, with two facing out over the golf course, and a spa and staff room at the rear.

Members of the public were given the chance to look at early plans for the hotel at the end of November last year.

More than 100 people attended the public exhibition held in the hotel.

Tom Drysdale, chairman of Gullane Area Community Council, was among those at the presentation.

He claimed at that time there were two major issues, which he anticipated would cause concern among neighbours and residents.

He said: “There is a strong view amongst people in the immediate area of the development site that it is an overdevelopment in terms of the mass of the building.

“It is too big for the site and visually, from the east as you approach Gullane over the golf course area, it will encroach into the townscape, which is part of the conservation area.

“It is higher than the existing buildings.

“The biggest worry reflected by immediate neighbours is that there will be traffic congestion in the immediate area because the parking will be inadequate for the development.

“The representatives of the community council have met with a group of neighbours who are very concerned about it.”

Currently, the two-star Mallard Hotel hosts 18 en-suite bedrooms, an 80-seat function suite, 40-seat dining room and a 30-seat hotel bar. Hotel owners Cameron and Susan Law intend to step down from the business, which has been in the family for 56 years, if the proposals are given the green light.

Susan, who was previously chairwoman of Muirfield Riding Therapy, which offers free horseriding for people with disabilities, stressed that The Mallard Hotel would remain open prior to any development.

At the time of the public exhibition, she told the Courier: “I think, initially, I was quite shocked that it was going to be knocked down but in retrospect it is the best thing, really.

“Obviously, we will be sad to see it go but we will take The Mallard Hotel with us, is how I am thinking now. It is very dear to us.”