A HOTEL and care home could be built side-by-side in North Berwick.

Early plans, submitted by Frontier Estates Ltd, highlight an area off the town’s Tantallon Road – to the west of the Tesco store – as a site for the proposed development.

Part of the land earmarked for the project is home to the long-standing car sales and garage business, James Mitchell Cars.

No information has been given in terms of the size of either development, with a public exhibition to be held at the town’s Glen Golf Club on February 20 between 1pm and 7pm.

The ward’s three councillors – Jim Goodfellow, Jeremy Findlay and Jane Henderson – and East Lothian MP Martin Whitfield and MSP Iain Gray have all been informed.

The town’s community council, environment trust and business association have also been made aware of the proposals, which were submitted to East Lothian Council shortly before the New Year.

Applicant Frontier Estates Ltd has a history of developing budget hotels.

According to its website: “Hotels have been a significant part of our business over recent years.

“We have completed hotel schemes in Watford, Hatfield, Enfield, Birmingham, Slough and Milton Keynes.

“Operators include Jurys, De Vere, Ramada Encore, Travelodge and Premier Inn.

“Frontier’s hotel developments often include restaurant, leisure and conference facilities Our schemes have ranged from 100 to 270 bedrooms in nine separate hotels.”

North Berwick Community Council (NBCC) met on Tuesday, where members gave their support to the plans.

Ian Watson, NBCC member, said: “It is employment use land at the moment and this would create jobs.

“It is the best possible use for the land and I do not have any qualms supporting this.”

Fellow NBCC member Bill Macnair added: “I think it is quite a good proposal.”

Members welcomed the possibility of a “budget-style” hotel coming to the town.

Mr Findlay, who sits on the planning committee which could ultimately make a decision on any future planning application, was unable to comment on the application itself as it would rule him out of any future debate.

He said: “The only comment I would make at this stage is that any application that includes hotel space in North Berwick should be at least seriously looked at. The county as a whole is short of hotel space but we will just have to wait and see what the application finally looks like.”

Mr Goodfellow added: “I have my concerns that land which at present is being used for commercial purposes is going to be re-designated for something which is related to housing.

“I would prefer if those types of development were placed elsewhere, where it would not use up commercial land.”

Ward colleague Ms Henderson was keen on finding out more information about the plans before commenting.

Richard Mitchell, proprietor of James Mitchell Cars, declined to comment on the proposals’ potential impact on his business in future.