PLANS for a large-scale development including a nursery, care home and elderly amenity flats, and industrial and storage units have been unveiled for edge of Dunbar.

The proposals submitted to East Lothian Council are for land, currently open fields, between the town’s Asda store and garden centre, and the East Coast Main Line.

The plans also include 100 affordable homes, retail and leisure units, a drive-thru restaurant and hotel, offices and an innovation centre, and a district heating centre.

The scheme is being dubbed the ‘Dunbar Eco Hub’ by its creator Hallhill Developments Ltd.

Members of the public will get the chance to cast their eye over the proposals next month at an exhibition, although a date is yet to be confirmed.

The plans, which are still in the early stages, have also been sent to Dunbar Community Council, as well as local councillors.

Access to the site would come from the road between the garden centre and Asda, as well as from Spott Road Industrial Estate and between Asda and neighbouring McDonald’s.

Pippa Swan, chairwoman of the town’s community council, said the group were yet to discuss the proposals, with their next meeting next Monday (March 17).

She said: “My personal view, looking at the plan, is that it looks quite interesting, not least because there seems to be provision for little workshops and retail units but, most importantly from my point of view, is a care home facility and additional housing, which is something that has been the subject of discussion with the area partnership for many, many months now.

“So, whilst it has not been identified as a replacement for the hospital at Belhaven, there is plainly an opportunity there to at least have a conversation about that.

“I thought on balance the scheme looked very interesting so I’m hoping that any public meeting will be well attended.

“No doubt, a consensus view will emerge from the general public.”

Hallhill Developments Ltd is behind hundreds of homes to the south of the railway line, as well as The DunBear sculpture, which stands in the proposed site, and a £1 million donation to the Dunbar Primary School extension.

Dunbar Trades’ Association (DTA) is yet to meet to discuss the plans but Philip Mellor, chairman, outlined his own concerns regarding the possible knock-on effect on the town’s infrastructure.

He said: “Also this development would potentially create a very much split town, with no thought of access to the old historic town centre, as the new area will become the second town centre, which was always the concern for the members from the original plan, especially with yet more housing out towards the cemetery.

“It is good to see area for new business as the town grows. More jobs and more money staying in the local area is positive.

“Some members will naturally feel anxious until plans are known fully. Previous plans had this entire area going to be business-led and thus more employment, now it seems more housing.

“The council really need to rethink infrastructure, specifically doctor, dentist and school provision in the area, all [of which] are hugely overstretched.

“The road infrastructure may not cope with so much extra traffic, especially Spott Road.”

Ken Ross, from Hallhill Developments Ltd, predicted the development would lead to the creation of a number of jobs and said further details would be revealed over the coming weeks.