THE site of a former amusement arcade looks set to be transformed into a new modern home.

The arcade, off Dunbar’s Lamer Street, closed its doors about 20 years ago before being demolished.

Currently, the site is being used as “an unofficial parking area” but Mr and Mrs Alan Bell have been given permission to create a two-storey home.

East Lothian Council’s planning department approved the scheme, despite three letters of opposition.

Concerns included that the site would be better

used by the community, or

as a restaurant or bar; and that it was currently “a useful space” for overspill parking.

However, planners noted that whether there were alternative uses that would better service the community or the site was being used as a car park were “not material planning considerations”.

Drawings included within the planning application show how the new house will look.

On the ground floor, there will be three bedrooms, as well as a kitchen, living room and dining area.

Upstairs features the master bedroom, as well as a dressing room and bathroom.

Planners felt the design would “preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area and would not be harmful to it”.

The planning officer’s report read: “The proposed house would be of a contemporary architectural style that would be readily visible in public views from the surrounding roads including Lamer Street, The Vennel and Castle Street.

“In those public views, it would appear visibly different to the existing buildings in the area.

“However, due to its relatively low height and that it would be seen against the backdrop of the much larger flatted buildings to the south and west of the site, the proposed house would sit comfortably on its plot and would not dominate or compete with those much larger buildings.”

Pippa Swan, chairwoman of the town’s community council, was among those backing the proposals when they were revealed.

She said: “That site has been an eyesore for decades and whilst there have been lots of conversations about how it might be brought into public ownership or public use, none of them have got off the ground.”

The vacant site sits beside a playpark and looks out over Dunbar’s East Beach.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, who represents the town on East Lothian Council, agreed that the site was currently an eyesore.

He said: “I know there were quite a lot of people in the community who would have liked to have some type of retail or leisure facility close to the beach but nobody was interested in doing that.

“At least a house… it is only the one house, there was a proposal previously for quite a number of houses, which would have been quite an impact on the seafront.

“Just having the one house will not overpower the Beach House immediately to the rear.

“I think it was acceptable that the planners have recommended approval for this application.

“It is going to help to improve the look of the seafront, which has been in decline for a number of years.

“This part has always looked a mess since the arcade was demolished and it just seems a shame the site has been in this condition for a long time.

“It will be nice to see it tidied up and make the seafront attractive again.”