PLANS outlining the future for a former golf and leisure club will go before the public in the middle of March.

Whitekirk Golf and Country Club has been closed for more than two years.

Shortly before Christmas, Whitekirk Hill, c/o Zest Capital Management, revealed plans to transform the site.

The development would be split into a number of phases, with the first phase going under public scrutiny on March 16 and 17 in Whitekirk Village Hall.

Those plans will outline proposals to refurbish and expand the existing clubhouse building complex to provide a leisure club and casual dining, a children’s soft play centre and an outdoor adventure play facility, with a detailed planning application potentially submitted later this year.

In the longer term, the company wants to create holiday homes across the wider site for short-term letting.

That second phase would require a separate planning application, which is being worked on.

Jim Wilkie, from Zest Capital Management, encouraged people to go along to the exhibitions and see the plans for themselves.

He said: “We would encourage as many people to attend the consultation event as possible and to contact us with any questions at any time during the process.

“We have had a very positive initial response to the proposals which is encouraging but we also understand that local residents have concerns, especially given the history of the site.

“We will work hard to respond to any questions they may have and hopefully allay many of these initial fears.

“We will also look to meet with local residents ahead of the formal consultation event and share as much information as possible along the way and in advance of any formal planning submissions.

“We very much hope that the people of Whitekirk will share our enthusiasm for the project in bringing the golf club site back to an attractive and profitable use.”

The exhibitions, which take place from 3pm to 8pm on March 16 and 10am to 2pm the following day, will also allow members of Dunpender Community Council to see what is planned for the large site.

The plans are likely to be discussed at the group’s monthly meeting, which takes place this evening (Thursday).

Eric Martin from the community council lives in Whitekirk.

He said the group was looking for more information before forming an opinion.

A meeting has already been held in the village, which was attended by Tony Thomas, who is the agent for the applicant.

Mr Martin said that Mr Thomas was able to provide some answers but there were still questions remaining unanswered.

He added: “It looks like a large development and we are concerned about potential impact but we do not have enough real information about what is being planned.”

When the scheme was revealed just before Christmas, ward councillors Jeremy Findlay and Jane Henderson told the Courier they were pleased to see someone looking at the site, although they could not discuss any specific plans.

Nearly five years ago, planning permission was given for a hotel, as well as 21 holiday lodges and 42 houses, plus a second 18-hole golf course at the large Whitekirk complex.

The company running Whitekirk, Golf Coast PLC, ran into financial difficulties and the business closed abruptly, with the planned development never completed.

The new plans indicate that it is unlikely the golf course itself will re-open.