Friday March 20th 2026
Former Animals First surgery in Haddington has been closed for two years
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Plans to turn an empty vet surgery in an historic building in Haddington town centre into a one bedroom house have been lodged with East Lothian Council.
The Animals 1st branch in Haddington town centre closed its doors in June 2024 with patients travelling to its main practice in Macmerry Industrial Estate a few miles away.
Now an applicant for a change of use has been lodged with council planners in an effort to establish the principle of it being converted into a home.
Architects for the applicant argue the size and use of the building in the past make it unusable as a commercial business in the future.
In their statement they say: “The building’s small size, specialist internal layout, and limited frontage make it unsuitable for modern commercial operators.
“There is no realistic prospect of re-letting the property for commercial purposes without significant alteration, which would itself raise heritage concerns.Residential use represents the most viable long-term future for the building.”
The surgery was based in the Category C listed building which is part of an old coach house and stables next to Haddington police station on Court Street, in the centre of the market town.
The application states that at this stage there are no plans to change the exterior of the former practice, which has a large glass front, and that there is enough space at the back for two parking places and a rear garden.
It proposes converting the front reception into a living area with the consultation rooms at the back providing a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom.
But the application says: “The application seeks only to establish the principle of residential use, with all detailed design matters reserved for a future planning and listed building consent submission.”
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