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A former East Lothian pub could be turned into five new flats and two shops under plans lodged by a local businessman. Wallyford based Abdul Nadeem has applied for permission to convert the former Johnnie Cope Pub on Prestonpans’ Hawthorn Road. In plans submitted to East Lothian Council Mr Nadeem’s architect says the building which was more recently used as a boxing gym and cafe would have four flats upstairs and one on the ground floor alongside two new shops. And he argues the new use would ‘greatly reduce’ the current potential footfall of the building which was last given permission to operate as the gym, a public hall and cafe. He says: “The building in its current form and use class as approved has an overall occupancy of 168 persons as advised with the previous change of use supporting statement. “The number of occupants will greatly reduce with the proposals presented to planning – 12 persons within the apartments, 49 persons plus staff within the Class 1A left hand unit, 22 Persons plus staff within the Class 1A right hand unit. “The reduction of occupants by around 50 per cent will reduce the impact on existing on street and dedicated parking opposite the existing building.” The pub building was formerly owned by ex Hibs star Paul Kane and has been a pub, cafe, dance studio and childrens soft play centre. The proposals are for four one bedroom flats and one two bedroom. The architect acknowledges that it may not be policy to allow a ground floor flat on an application like the one put forward but argues that it allows the reuse of an existing side door and stairs reducing the need for ‘substantive internal remodelling”. He says: “Whist a proposed ground floor apartment is possibly contrary to development plan policy the option of providing a ground floor apartment rather than access via stair should be considered.” The application for a change of use for the building is available to view on the council’s planning portal. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.