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Plans to turn a former frozen food store in Bathgate’s town centre into a short term let hotel, which was rejected by councillors, has gone to appeal. ‌

Mumtaz Hussain saw his proposals to turn the old Farmfoods store on South Bridge Street into 39 bed accommodation thrown out after local councillor Pauline Stafford slated rooms so small there was no space for a chair. ‌

Councillors on the Development Management Committee heard Bathgate now has more than 300 short-term let beds available. ‌

In an appeal lodged by Mr Hussain’s Muir Developments firm, planning consultant Derek Scott doubled down on the assertion that the short-term let rooms would be aimed at “contractors and tourists.” READ MORE : West Lothian parents fuming as plans for new high school in expanding

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