Friends of Winterfield received a copy of the East Lothian Council options document for the Dunbar Public Park Pavilion.

The options were:

  1. Do nothing to the Pavilion – acknowledging that the structure is visibly displeasing
  2. Make the building wind and watertight, at a cost of ~£40,000, but not use the building – this would improve the visual amenity of the park but not solve the situation long-term
  3. Seek to establish a new use (subject to planning consent and restricted vehicle access) for the building with funding to repair the building and a long-term plan for maintenance.  Costs are expected to be in the region of those for a new build.  The Pavilion has been unused for >20 years and there were no current, viable suggestions at the time of writing
  4. Demolition and reinstatement of the site for recreational use

“The appraisal of the options for the Pagoda directs that the building has no viable future and should be demolished.” East Lothian Council (October, 2015)

Dunbar Community Council agreed to support the recommendation to demolish the Pavilion on 19th October 2015.

As a group we have reluctantly had to accept ELC’s recommendation to demolish the pavilion due to it deteriorating to such a poor condition. We set up as a Friends of Winterfield to improve and preserve the park as a community amenity. We are determined to play our part in turning such a negative outcome into a positive; look to the future and find new, inspiring ways of enhancing this part of the park. We will be part of the community conversation that works out what and how we do this and look forward to playing an active role. We have every hope that the Community Council and East Lothian Council will be keen to support the community in this regard