Published: Thursday, 7th May, 2009 8:50am

Plans for new community centre get support

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East Lothian Council has allocated funding from their annual budget to construct a new community centre in Dunbar.

Plans are in their infancy but it has been suggested services provided by Countess Youth Centre, Dunbar Library and the local authority"s High Street office will be transferred to the proposed community hub, which is expected to be located on Bleachingfield – opposite the current Countess Youth Centre site.

Community groups will be invited to hold regular meetings at the centre and it is understood that Dunbar Scouts will have a permanent site within the complex.

The total funds available for the development are unspecified and, to date, no formal designs have been drawn up.

However, a council spokesperson confirmed that discussions over the centre"s construction were 'well advanced' and added that a new community centre for Dunbar would be one of the 'main projects' outlined by the SNP/Lib Dem administration.

The council plans to invite tenders from developers by early 2010, with the aim of starting work by May or June 2010.

Stephen Bunyan, Dunbar Community Council chairman, welcomed the proposal but said it was 'overdue'.

'Such a facility is much needed; indeed, if it can satisfy all these needs it would be marvellous!' he declared.

'A replacement for Countess Youth Centre is certainly overdue, as it"s pretty run down and is bursting at the seams.

'Something like this has been wanted in Dunbar for a long time and it would be a great thing.'