CONCERNS have been raised about how 250 proposed new homes could impact on surrounding roads.

A public exhibition showcasing plans for Hallhill North, an area of land between the existing Hallhill development and the railway line in Dunbar, took place last month.

Developers Hallhill Developments Ltd attended the town’s community council meeting and outlined the plans for the site, to the west of the Lochend Campus of Dunbar Primary School.

The area of land has been designated for housing by East Lothian Council but community councillors questioned why the access to the site would come from Brodie Road and not Beveridge Row or Hospital Road, immediately west of the site.

Pippa Swan, the group’s chairwoman, said: “I think it seemed very strange to us that a very significant development would yet again be routed through what is already a densely populated area when we have got a perfectly good access road at Hospital Road. It would be nice to see that upgraded, made safe with footpaths and so on.”

Other concerns included how the use of green spaces would be included in any planning application, with early proposals showing the creation of a recreation/sports pitch near the school.

The public exhibition saw about 60 members of the public in attendance. The event gave people the chance to see the plans for the first time and raise any concerns.

A formal planning application is expected to be lodged with East Lothian Council next month, with a decision expected by potentially early autumn.

Any concerns or objections from the public will not be considered by the council’s planning department until a planning application is lodged. In the meantime, Mrs Swan suggested the community council write to the developers to outline their own concerns.

Ken Ross, from Hallhill Developments Ltd, felt the public exhibition had proven beneficial and would help shape the proposals ahead of the plans being submitted.

He said: “The site is allocated in the East Lothian Local Development Plan and from the comments we received at the exhibition it is apparent that most people are content with the principle of housing development.

“A number of questions were asked about exactly how the development will be implemented, with issues raised around, for example, site access and the number and types of affordable homes.

“We will consider all of the comments that are received, and produce a comprehensive pre-application consultation report, which will explain how these have been taken into account.

“Meetings will also be held with East Lothian Council to seek their views on the emerging detail of the proposals.”