Concerns have been raised over plans for a holiday let in North Berwick, which have been described as “out of order”.

The owners of the property, at 42 Ibris Place, have applied for retrospective planning permission to convert the two-bedroom flat into holiday accommodation.

North Berwick Community Council (NBCC) raised concerns about the plans at its virtual meeting this month, with the age of the other residents and the communal entrance being their main issues with the application.

The building was originally marketed to residents as “retirement homes” and issues had already been raised that families and a group of workmen had rented out the property.

The community council received letters of complaint from residents in the building who were strongly opposed to the change of use proposed.

Christiane Maher, community councillor, said: “Out of the 22 flats, the vast majority of inhabitants are over 70 years old.

“The majority are single people and couples, there are no families whatsoever.

“I must say a holiday let in this house is totally out of order; it doesn’t fit into that style of house with those inhabitants.”

However, the group debated whether it was within their remit to object to houses that were changing from standard rentals to holiday lets.

The members decided they should object as this was a “special case”.

Ms Maher said: “I think this really is a special case… this quiet house built for elderly, single people and couples – it is just totally out of place.”

Kathryn Smith, secretary of NBCC, added: “I received a letter of objection from one of the residents in the building and he said this one [the application] was exactly the same as [one at] Marine House in Gullane, which was rejected.”

Ward councillor Jeremy Findlay pointed out that the application in Gullane had been turned down because it affected “the amenity of the other residents in the building” and would be a basis that the community council could object on.

Some members pointed out that Scottish Government legislation had recently changed, resulting in more and more properties requiring change-of-use permission to continue as holiday lets.

It was debated whether further guidance should be obtained from East Lothian Council; however, the group voted unanimously to object to the application.