By Elizabeth Hunter Gemma Ryder
A couple who spent over 拢550,000 converting a former bank into their dream retirement home say they鈥檝e never been allowed to move in, due to years of planning setbacks. Pat Sharp and her husband Nigel bought the disused Royal Bank of Scotland building in Westgate, North Berwick , seven years ago, after Nigel was diagnosed with Parkinson鈥檚 disease. The pair hoped to create a wheelchair-accessible home as their flat above a Victorian house became less suitable. They paid more than double the 拢250,000 asking price, 拢555,555, despite the building lacking planning permission for residential use. “Twelve other people wanted it too, most of them aiming to turn it into a house,” said Pat. “However I was the top offer at 拢555,555. The offers over price was obviously to attract attention and was no way realistic.” However, East Lothian Council refused change of use, insisting the property must remain commercial. The couple uncovered an old photo, found by their architect Andrew Megginson, showing the building – formerly Park House – had once been residential, with gardens, a conservatory, and garages. 鈥淭his makes it clear that what we now own was historically more than half residential,鈥 Pat said. 鈥淩BS retained the drawing room, and sold the remaining house to the bank manager, where his daughter and family lived. It is in the middle of period properties, well set back – even further than its neighbours.鈥 The delays have had a deep personal cost. The couple were unable to use the home to host their young granddaughters, now aged two and three, whose mother, Pat鈥檚 daughter, died of cancer. “I could turn the bank into a future proof home with a lift and easy wheelchair access, and making it a fun place for the girls to visit,” said Pat. The couple originally proposed a design in keeping with the area鈥檚 heritage. “One of the three councillors loved our plans for a beautiful quality house,” said Pat. “The other two said it was a pastiche, and a modern house was required – not my choice but Andrew designed one. Again, to our astonishment, they knocked it back. Then they changed their view to ‘North Berwick needs offices’ and now this has continued for years.” Nigel鈥檚 condition has since worsened, and he has moved into a care home. Though permission was later granted for a caf茅 and offices, Pat said: “A modern office block at the end of a graceful terrace of Victorian villas? After more than 83 viewings we have demonstrated completely there is no appetite whatsoever for any commercial enterprise there – even less so with the new parking laws about to be inflicted on North Berwick.” “We have repeatedly asked the council for a meeting to find a way to progress, which is our right,” she added. A final appeal set for June 19 was postponed due to a notification error. “The Council’s recent postponement at the 11th hour of our local review does not surprise us,” Pat said. 鈥淚f we at last get our planning permission I regard it as a win for beautiful North Berwick. We’re just passing through. Let our legacy be one of carefully conserving what we’ve inherited. Not building more carbuncles.” A council spokesperson said the appeal would now be heard in August.