A MUSSELBURGH pub owner’s plan to put solar panels on the establishment's roof is set to be rejected over concerns about their impact on the listed building.

Nigel Finlay has applied for planning permission and listed building consent to place 27 panels on the roof of Staggs, on the town’s North High Street.

But a report due to be heard by East Lothian councillors next week warns that the panels will "harmfully alter" its historic slate roof and the special architectural interest of the building.

It says that the panels would cover the majority of the south-facing slate roof and would be visible from the street.

READ MORE: Filming for Netflix show takes place at Staggs Bar

The report, by the council's planning department, says: “It was suggested that alternative solutions should be explored such as ground-mounted solar panels, relocating the solar panels to different roof slopes of the building and/or air source heat pumps.

“The applicant confirmed that these alternative solutions were not financially viable.

"In their position on the principal roof slope of the building, the proposed 27 solar panels would be visible from the public road of North High Street.

This image shows how solar panels would look on the south-facing roof of Staggs in Musselburgh. Image: East Lothian Council planning portal

"The proposed solar panels would cover a large proportion of the roof slope and as such would radically alter the character and appearance of that otherwise unaltered roof slope.

“This change to the roof slope would neither preserver nor enhance but would be harmful to the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building.”

One objection to the panels was received claiming that it would be against conservation area policies; however, officers said that the building was not in such an area.

Staggs, also known as the Volunteer Arms, is listed as a mid-19th century pub which has retained much of its Victorian interior, making it of special interest.

The pub has won a number of awards in recent years for the quality of its beer.

READ MORE: Staggs named Lothians Pub of the Year 2023

The two applications, for planning permission and for listed building consent, will be decided by elected members at a planning committee meeting on Tuesday.

The applications would have been rejected by the planning department without councillors' input had they not been called off the scheme of delegation list by Musselburgh ward councillors Shona McIntosh and Andrew Forrest.

In her reasoning for calling off the first application in order for councillors to decide on it, Ms McIntosh said: "There has been some local interest, including a discussion at the community council, and I feel the case could benefit from additional discussion at committee level."

While Mr Forrest, who called both applications off the list, added: "Due to concerns raised by the local community, I feel this application requires full consideration from the planning committee and a site visit would help members understand fully all the implications of this application."