FRESH plans have been lodged which would see a historic North Queensferry hotel turned into apartments.

Festival Inns have submitted new proposals for the Albert Hotel requesting permission for the premises to be turned into one two-bedroomed flat and three flats with three bedrooms.

It follows the withdrawal of previous plans earlier this year which had attracted more than 100 objections.

The agents for Festival Inns said the premises were “unviable” in its current state, however, this was disputed by the community and a group of local investors outlined plans to “rescue” the pub and re-open it.

In the latest application, however, a planning statement acknowledged the interest but said the local interest remained "an aspiration rather than something that is practically achievable."

It stated: "The level of objection is surprising given the nature of residential development being proposed to replace the existing commercial leisure use and the limited opportunities for alternative, feasible or viable development to re-use the building.

"It is acknowledged that the village is a recognised local tourist destination and landmark due to the views of the Forth Rail Bridge which attract modest spin-off numbers of visitors on an annual basis.

"However, the focus for sightseeing the bridges is in South Queensferry and a change of use of the hotel is considered to have minimal impact on visitor numbers or expenditure in the village."

The application said the pub element of the building was no longer viable and was deemed "partially dangerous in a state of disrepair".

It added: "The owner has met with local community groups on several occasions in relation to notional acquisition for a future undefined community use. However, to date no credible market or

commercial evidence has been provided to justify this assertion and this remains an aspiration rather than something that is practically achievable.

"The applicant believes that the proposed loss of this public house would, therefore, have no significant detrimental impact on the surrounding community given historic patronage and the alternative facilities nearby."