A FRESH bid is being made to breathe new life into a building which has been described as being at risk for more than two decades.

Various attempts have been made over nearly 30 years to try to transform Dunbar’s Assembly Rooms.

Last year, East Lothian Council and Scottish Ministers rejected plans to turn the building, which dates back more than 200 years, into four flats.

Now, another attempt is being made to ensure that the building has a future.

Fiona McMiken has applied to the council in a bid for the building to be transformed into a home.

Pippa Swan, chairwoman of Dunbar Community Council, was yet to see the proposals but was keen for a solution to be found.

She said: “I’m thrilled that somebody has taken that project on and it is wonderful that it is going to be a family home.

“It’s a fantastic solution.”

One of the stumbling blocks regarding the previous proposals, which were submitted by a different applicant, Alexander Williamson, was a lack of parking on the site.

Now, a new area of hardstanding for car parking and a bin store could be created off Lamer Street.

Drawings included with the application show that the property would be split over three levels, including a roof terrace.

The ground floor, which is above existing basement flats, would feature an en-suite guest bedroom, as well as a livingroom and dining area, alongside a snug.

Upstairs would be the master bedroom, with walk-in wardrobe, and two other bedrooms, as well as two offices.

The design statement reads: “The building is to be designed to Passivhaus principles, with increased insulation, a high level of airtightness, triple-glazed windows and a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery, to ensure low energy usage.

“Within the roof, it is proposed to create an external roof terrace, to provide outdoor space for the family.

“The roof terrace will be built within the pitch of the roof, open to the rear elevation to take in the sea views, whilst not being visible from the street in front.”

According to the document, the Assembly Rooms are “considered an important historic building reflecting Dunbar’s close associations with its agricultural background, built for town gatherings of neighbouring farmers”.

It reads: “Its last known use was as a furniture shop in 1978.

“The Assembly Rooms occupy the two upper floors of the building and are in separate ownership from the three lower ground flats, all of which are privately owned.

“The upper floors have been vacant for approximately 25 years and the building has been on the Buildings At Risk Register for Scotland for over 20 years.”

East Lothian Council turned down Mr Williamson’s bid to transform the building last year amid concerns over parking and alterations to its roof.

An appeal to Scottish Ministers later failed to overturn the decision, with Mr Williamson’s family saying that he had decided to sell the building following the latter ruling.

Daughter Caroleanne said: “Due to my parents’ age, ill health, and knowing that we are never going to get our dream passed, we decided to accept an offer from a young couple who have the time and energy on their side to hopefully turn it into a family home.

“We hope that the wonderful people of Dunbar will quickly get behind them and show support for their plans to restore what will be a beautiful building soon.

“We would like to thank everyone who showed us support by speaking on our behalf, those who signed our petition and to the neighbours of the Assembly Rooms.”