While the hotel owners met with High Street residents and local groups last week to put forward their plans for the proposed extension and on how the new purchase will be incorporated into the plan, a Queensferry resident is questioning what impact the latest addition to the hotel will have on the High Street.

John Carson, of Kirkliston Road, believes Orocco Pier would find more favour with the people of Queensferry if they reconfigured the current planning award into a revised plan to show their total intent for this location, albeit in a phased development.

Mr Carson said: "There could be considerable gains for the people of Queensferry from a reduced development, for instance it might not encroach into the current beach area as far and a new design could be more in keeping with the massing of the surrounding buildings."

But Peter Wilson, managing director of Renaissance Ecosse, which owns Orocco Pier, said the company's acquisition of the shop came out of the blue, but was an opportunity not to be missed.

He said: "The owners of the charity shop approached us and asked us if we wanted to buy it, which we agreed to do.


''Now we are looking at how we may be able to incorporate it into the hotel as part of our refurbishment."

Mr Wilson added: "At the moment there are no guarantees – we shall have to wait and see what the local planners say. It may go some way to enabling us to give our customers what they have been asking for in terms of more space and bar facilities.

"I am aware there has been local speculation that our purchase of the shop means our original expansion plans will be jettisoned, but that is not the case.

''We are evaluating all options so that our eventual decision will create the Orocco Pier we and our cust-omers wish to see – and which will bring substantial benefits in terms of jobs, investment and leisure choice."