THE historic home of a dance school could be transformed into three town centre flats.

Haddington School of Dance and Music was forced to close its doors earlier this year “due to the combination of the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing repair cost of our beautiful old building”.

A spokeswoman for the dance school, which was based on Haddington’s Newton Port, said: “We want to thank everyone who has been a part of our company, taken classes with us, supported us and has helped make the school a wonderful environment over the past 14 years.”

It is the second time that plans have been lodged with East Lothian Council to see the building, which dates back to 1838, brought back to life.

The original plans highlighted a range of issues relating to the increasing costs, with money being used on the necessary modernisation of heating, lighting and plumbing, while vandals had stolen lead from the roof.

The spokeswoman said the financial losses were “entirely due to the upkeep of the building”.

In January, proposals for four flats were revealed but they were withdrawn three months later.

Now, Mr P Black has lodged fresh plans with the local authority’s planning department.

If approved, his proposals would see the modern extensions – the music room, second dance hall and coffee bar – at the rear of the building removed.

The conversion would see accommodation created over two levels inside the building, which was originally opened as St John’s Church of Scotland in 1838 before being bought by the dance school nine years ago.

On the ground floor, there would be two two-bedroom flats, with a three-bedroom flat upstairs.

A planning statement included in the latest application highlights that efforts have been made over the last six months to find someone to take on the building in its current form.

It reads: “We made enquiries with McEwan Fraser, who indicate the property is under offer and attracted some market interest.

“However, none of the market interest was for the ongoing use as a community hall and the feedback from interested parties was the costs to retain the building form and uses with the repairs required would be prohibitive to securing a viable sale.”

The developers noted that a number of churches have been transformed into homes and called on East Lothian Council to follow along that line.

A decision on the proposals is expected before Christmas.