Plans to turn a former frozen food store in Bathgate’s town centre into a 39- bed short term let hotel have been rejected by West Lothian councillors.

The Development Management Committee heard local councillor Pauline Stafford slate cramped bedrooms with “not even room for a chair”, and lack of staff or guest facilities in the building which had recently housed Farmfoods.

Planners had recommended the proposals for the two storey building which occupies a town centre plot next to the partnership centre in South Bridge Street.

The retail unit has lain empty since Farmfoods moved to new premises in Bathgate in late 2021.

Mumtaz Hussain applied for planning permission for the change of use of the former shop to form short term letting accommodation over both the ground and first floor lev

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