PROPOSALS for more than 100 new homes and a cemetery on the outskirts of Dunbar have been opposed by the town’s community council.

Gladman Developments has submitted plans for Newtonlees Farm, to the east of the town.

The site, which is not within East Lothian Council’s Local Development Plan, would see “up to” 115 homes being built, as well as a cemetery.

However, the town’s community council has confirmed that it plans to object to the scheme.

The group’s secretary, Jacquie Bell, said: “The site is outwith the current Local Development Plan.

“It is also outwith the new plan, which is already in development.

“We believe that, given the large amount of work and consultation that has gone into selecting sites for new housing, there should be a presumption not to give permission to sites that are not contained within it.

“Granting of permission at sites not within the current plan has led to a number of applications being proposed outwith the new one.”

The community council also highlighted the location of the site, which is away from the town centre and immediately to the east of 240 homes which were approved by councillors last year.

Mrs Bell added: “The site currently has no public transport.

“Although mention is made of a bus service, there have been issues in some other new developments in Dunbar of bus services not being able to commence until the site is fully completed.

“We are concerned about the traffic movements generated by 115 extra properties in addition to the 240 homes on nearby land which are currently under construction.

“The site will put further pressure on the dangerous A1 junction near the cement works.

“The site will also put further pressure on Queens Road and Spott Road to get to Asda, the schools and the town.”

“We are concerned about pressures on town centre parking. We are keen that there is sufficient provision for cycling and walking.”

Other concerns range from the impact on the town’s infrastructure, such as schools and the medical centre, to the merging of Dunbar with the hamlet of Broxburn, and the loss of agricultural land and wildlife habitat.

A section of the site, which is to the south of the A1087, has been earmarked for a cemetery, which would act as an extension to Deer Park Cemetery, which is on the opposite side of the road.