A BID to bar grey squirrels from a bowling club’s clubhouse has been given the green light.

The animals have caused damage at Dirleton Bowling Club, with improvement works to the clubhouse now approved by East Lothian Council’s planning department.

Derek Carter, from the bowling club, on the village’s Castle Park, told the Courier the intention was for work to start after the outdoor season was complete.

He said: “The programme is really for the winter.

“The next step, quite soon, is to go out for tenders and we have got grants ongoing.”

A cost for the project is yet to be revealed and Mr Carter said the ongoing coronavirus pandemic “complicated most things”.

Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed towards the end of May, which allowed bowlers to head back to the greens for the outdoor season.

However, even so, social distancing restrictions remain in force.

The bowling club’s plans will see the building transformed both inside and out.

A new kitchen will be created inside the clubhouse, with decorating also being planned.

Outdoors, work will be carried out to ensure grey squirrels cannot get inside and cause damage.

A design and access statement included within the planning application highlighted the problems the bowling club, which dates back almost 140 years, was having with the animals.

It reads: “The catalyst for this improvement project is the extensive ongoing damage to the existing clubhouse roof caused by grey squirrels nesting in the roof during the past three winters.

“They penetrate between the pantiles and nest underneath them, gnawing their way through to the clubroom itself.”

The approved improvements have been backed by Dirleton Village Association, which confirmed that the proposals were well supported within the village.

The bowling club, which has about 40 members, has been part of the village for 138 years, with the clubhouse and steps to the bowling green added nearly 40 years ago.

The design and access statement also highlighted the importance of the sport to the village.

It reads: “It is the only village sports club providing exercise and social, intergenerational contact through sport, and the only village team representing the Dirleton community.

“If the practical issues set out below mean that the clubhouse becomes unusable, then the club will be unable to compete in the bowling leagues.

“The expectation of visiting teams is now much higher than it used to be, and clubs such as North Berwick, Aberlady, Stenton and Gullane all have new improved facilities.

“The clubhouse is dark and damp, and the roof sarking boards are being damaged and holed by grey squirrels.

“There is no lighting to the path, which is also muddy and slippery because water pours onto it from the adjacent derelict hall owned by the council.”

Planning permission was given for the replacement of timber window frames, with new windows to be created on the southern side of the building. A new lamppost will be put in place to improve the lighting outside, while the approach path will be resurfaced with gravel.