THE future of an historic building in the centre of Dunbar looks to be secured at long last.

Attempts to breathe fresh life into the Assembly Rooms have rumbled on for nearly 30 years.

Plans to turn much of the Church Street building – which dates back 200 years – into a single flat have been given the go-ahead.

Other than three basement flats, the building has been vacant for some 30 years and has been on the Buildings at Risk register for Scotland since 1992.

Now, progress can finally be made to ensure the site has a future.

Dunbar Community Council was among those supporting the latest proposals from Fiona McMiken. Pippa Swan, chairwoman of the group, was delighted that East Lothian Council had approved the latest application.

She said: “I think everybody that I have spoken to is absolutely thrilled.

“It is wonderful that it is going to go to somebody wanting to make it into a home. We are very much looking forward to seeing how it pans out and wish them all the very best.”

The basement flats remain in place, with new steps created to the existing ground-floor entrance to the now single property.

Inside, a guest bedroom will be created, alongside a living area, dining room and snug.

On the first floor, two offices will be created alongside three bedrooms, with a roof terrace looking out over the sea.

Previous proposals – from a different applicant – had looked at changing the building into four flats.

However, East Lothian Council and then Scottish Ministers rejected those plans, with concerns including where residents would park.

The latest proposals show two spaces for vehicles at the rear of the premises, with access coming from Lamer Street.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, council leader and who represents the town on East Lothian Council, was pleased progress was finally being made on the site.

He said: “I think the people who have now purchased the building are seriously looking to do a sympathetic restoration to this property.

“It is something that has been lying like this for far too long.

“It is fantastic to see this building brought back to life again.”

However, the proposals did not win favour with the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS), which objected to the infilling of the upper parts of the window openings with dark grey cladding boards.

Concerns were also raised about the spiral staircase and proposed balcony, which was described in the planning officer’s report as “although reasonably discrete, would be an out-of-period feature”.

Three further representations supported the application, which was approved late last month.