LAND on Dunbar’s south-east edge could be turned into a large housing scheme.

Robertson Homes, Hallhill Development and QSH are looking at a site to the south of Bowmont Terrace and south-east of Beachmont Place, known as Newtonlees North.

As many as 200 homes could be built there, the Courier has learnt.

The town’s community council has been notified of the potential development, with a public information event being held from noon until 8pm in the Dunmuir Hotel on May 20.

Jacquie Bell, vice-chairwoman of the town’s community council, was disappointed at the lack of information included in the Pre-Application Notice (PAN).

She said: “To say the least, the information that has come from the developer is scant.

“The application we got is just a proposal at this stage and it is not a firm plan – it gives no indication of how many houses or anything.” The PAN simply describes the proposal as a “residential development including the provision of vehicular and pedestrian access, open space and associated infrastructure”.

Mrs Bell called for consideration to be given as to how a new development would impact on facilities in the town, such as schools and health centres.

The issue is to be discussed at the community council meeting on Monday evening.

The site was earmarked for potential housing in the local authority’s Main Issues Report (MIR), put out to public consultation last year.

At that time, land at Newtonlees North was described as “a preferred land release”.

The report reads: “The allocation of land for approximately 250 houses between Beachmont Place and Newtonlees could be supported; however, approximately 3.4 hectares of land to the south of this site is also supported for employment/community use.” But there are issues with the site, which would potentially need to be addressed.

The report said: “Vehicular access should be possible off A1087, and a separate access should also be possible in the event of a mixed use proposal.

“The impact of development here on the local road network would need to be assessed, particularly on the Spott Road and Queens Road junction.

“Education capacity and access to schools would need to be resolved for any housing, potentially involving provision of a footpath across the adjacent employment land via an underpass of the East Coast Main Rail Line, the delivery of which must be investigated.

“Structural landscape planting and open space provision would be required to integrate this site with the surroundings and to provide a setting for the settlement.

“A masterplan would be required.”