THE team behind a snack van given the go-ahead at a coastal beauty spot is looking to extend its stay.

East Lothian Council gave the green light to Matsform Ltd in December last year for the snack van to be sited at the car park off Dunbar’s Shore Road.

That came despite more than 15 objections from members of the public being lodged with the council’s planning department.

Concerns at the time included the possibility of the snack van generating “unacceptable levels of additional vehicular traffic” and litter.

Dunbar Community Council and the neighbouring group in West Barns were among those objecting to original plans.

At that time, Jacquie Bell, secretary of the Dunbar group, highlighted the concerns about traffic in the area and the narrow surrounding streets, particularly the junction of the A1087 and Shore Road.

She said: “The horsebox proposed for this site will need to negotiate the junction twice daily, as well as the narrow Shore Road and the poor sight lines of Shore Road car park.

“There is concern that the vehicle proposed will impact on the already-pressured road system and thus on road safety both for other vehicles and for pedestrians and cyclists.

“There is also concern about the safety of pedestrians within the Shore Road car park as the horsebox enters and leaves the site each day to get to the designated stance on the far side of the car park.”

The business is now looking to extend its stay on the site for another three years.

The potential extension was discussed by the town’s community council at a meeting last month.

Mrs Bell was again vocal about the concerns surrounding road safety and questioned whether permission should be granted for such a period of time.

She added: “They still need to sort that junction around Belhaven.”

However, other members had no issue with the permission being extended.

Graham Adams, vice-chairman of the group, said that if there had been

any concerns or complaints since the business was set up they would

have been reported to East Lothian Council.

It was also noted that, in the absence of the snack van, anyone visiting the area – whether walking, surfing or enjoying the beach – had nowhere nearby to get a refreshment, with the Brig and Barrel on Belhaven High Street the nearest premises.

Members agreed to leave it up to nearby residents to make their concerns known to the local authority.

If approved, the mobile snack bar would be in place from 8.30am to 7.30pm from March to October, and from 8.30am to 4.30pm the remainder of the year.

Customers would be able to buy hot and cold drinks, as well as soup, sandwiches and other snacks.