More than 30 jobs to be created as Dunbar Asda extension approved

The extension, which will be to the north of the existing building, is expected to see the store stock more homeware products and also see the launch of a home shopping service.

The supermarket giant submitted plans to East Lothian Council before Christmas. Now planners have given the scheme the green light, with no objections from the public.

A spokesman for Asda told the Courier: “We’re delighted with the outcome.

“These plans represent a significant investment into our Dunbar store and will improve the range of goods on offer and help bring Asda’s famously low prices to more people, as well as providing new job opportunities.”

It is not yet known when work will start on extending the Spott Road store or how long the construction work will take. Currently, the store, which opened about 10 years ago, has a floorspace of about 3,078m2, with the extension adding a further 569m2 to the building.

A total of 23 parking spaces will be lost but it is felt that the remaining 219 spaces will be adequate because the increase in home deliveries will likely offset the reduction in customer trips to the store.

The home delivery service will see four vans operating from the store.

One van is expected to make four deliveries per day, with the remaining three doing half that number.

Dunbar Community Council backed the plans, while Dunbar Trades’ Association (DTA) had reservations but vowed to keep working to ensure the success of the town’s High Street.

The planning officer’s report noted: “The proposed extension would sit comfortably on the side of the existing building and would not harmfully disrupt its architectural form and appearance.

“It would be physically and visually well contained to the side of the existing building and would not be an overdevelopment of it.

“The proposed extension would be a subservient and complimentary addition to the existing building and would not appear intrusive or incongruous in its setting.”