New accommodation at a North Berwick hotel, given the planning go-ahead this week, will be taken over by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews for the British Open at Muirfield, Gullane, in 2013.
Local hotelier Stirling Stewart relayed the news to councillors during a debate on his plan for seven additional twin and double bedrooms in the back yard of the Harbour Hotel in Quality Street.
He received the thumbs up from the planning committ
ee to construct a new building to be used as either two units of self catering accommodation or as more bedrooms for the hotel — despite 27 objections from protesters who were angry about the "detrimental effect" on town centre car parking.
Brian Stalker, development control manager, recommended that permission be refused for parking reasons.
StandardHe explained that currently there were seven off-street parking spaces for the hotel and this would be reduced to three.
The council's car parking standard was 18, he added.
Mr Stalker said: "The transportation division advise that such shortfall in off- street car parking provision cannot be compensated for by parking within the adjacent Imperial Car Park as parking there is already at a premium."
Mr Stewart said rebranding the hotel as "No 12" and putting in a cafe/bar had been popular with day visitors, guests and locals alike.
FacilitiesHe explained: "I have worked closely with the council's economic development unit to improve No 12 Quality Street and it is now graded as a three star restaurant with rooms with the overall percentage score of 71 per cent — the equivalent of a four star grading."
He circulated a letter from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, saying it was "impressed" by the quality and standard of the facilities at No 12 and his other business, the Nether Abbey Hotel, also in North Berwick.
Mr Stewart added: "They have booked both premises for the forthcoming British Open Championship at Muirfield in 2013 and would also like to book the seven rooms which I have applied to build.
Accommodation"It is indeed a vindication of many years of hard work and considerable financial investment that an organisation as prestigious worldwide as the Royal and Ancient has recognised the standards of service and accommodation that both properties have to offer.
"Clearly if East Lothian wants to attract world class events, it requires world class accommodation along with its world class golf facilities of which we book hundreds of tee times annually for our visitors from all over the world."
"I have acknowledged the parking problems in North Berwick but I would strongly refute the claim that this will add to the parking problems. No.12 had three spaces as part of the back area which was used as a drying green by the prevous owner.
Full report in East Lothian News, May 8, 2009