A COMMUNITY building with a terrace, permanent spaces for existing beach huts and improvements to harbour wall defences are all on the cards for North Berwick Harbour.
North Berwick Harbour Trust lodged plans with East Lothian Council last month, including replacing the existing single-storey concrete building at the north-east of the harbour with a brand-new building it hopes will be used for training, club meetings, lectures, exhibitions and other community events.
Improved changing facilities for East Lothian Yacht Club, and toilet facilities open to the general public, would also feature.
The plans also include the temporary timber beach huts being transformed into “permanent enterprise spaces”, as well as “upgraded accommodation for the Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery”.
According to the plans, the centre and enterprise units would be built opposite the Scottish Seabird Centre, on the north-east edge of the dinghy park, where the town’s outdoor swimming pool once stood.
Existing boat storage space would be replaced, while the harbour’s rear wall would also receive “structural improvements”.
A design statement from planning agents McLaren Murdoch & Hamilton said: “The breakwater enhancement works carried out in 2016 did not include the wall to the rear of the harbour store and this wall is now in need of structural improvement.
“The storage building itself is also in a poor state of repair and does not provide suitable facilities for the various activities undertaken in the harbour area.
“While providing the necessary structural improvements to the breakwater wall, the North Berwick Harbour Trust would like to take the opportunity to provide a purpose-built community building to replace the existing building on the site.
“The new building will provide improved changing facilities for the East Lothian Yacht Club and toilet facilities which would be open to the public during working hours.
“These facilities will include an accessible WC and shower.
“The existing boat storage space will be replaced, and upgraded accommodation will be provided for the Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery.
“In addition, the building will provide a new flexible community space which can be used for training, club meetings, lectures, exhibitions and other community events.
“The temporary timber beach hut units will be replaced with permanent enterprise spaces which will provide facilities for local artists.”
The plans are described on the council’s planning portal as “replacement of existing building with new community building, including enhancement and reinforcement of the existing breakwater wall, and replacement of existing temporary storage buildings with new permanent storage buildings”.
The Courier understands that the harbour trust is currently looking for funding for the plans, with one organisation committed to the project’s funds.
Kenny Miller, chairman of North Berwick Community Council, thought the proposals were positive. He said: “I have no immediate opposition to the plans and think it would be good for the harbour and North Berwick.”
The proposals are available to view on East Lothian Council’s planning portal.
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