PLANS for a pharmacy dispenser on Dunbar High Street have been described as “win-win”, despite planning officers recommending that they be refused permission.

Members of East Lothian Council’s planning committee will rule on the plans to install the dispenser at Romanes Pharmacy.

The local authority’s planning department had marked the proposals down for refusal.

However, the scheme will now be decided by councillors instead, after Councillor Donna Collins, who represents the town on the local authority, called in the application for the council's planning committee to make a decision.

In her reasoning for doing so, she noted the growing population of the town and that many people worked in Edinburgh throughout the day; that meant people returning late and finding the pharmacy closed. The introduction of the dispenser would allow people to pick up their prescriptions outwith the opening hours of the business.

She said: “It is going to be a big boon for the folk of Dunbar and also the chemist.

“It frees up their time and, instead of having to hand out prescriptions to every person coming in, it frees up time for minor injuries or folk coming in for advice.

“It is win-win for everybody in Dunbar.”

If approved, the pharmacy dispenser would be similar to the cash machine located in the neighbouring supermarket.

It is understood that the application could be discussed at the next meeting of East Lothian Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.

Two objections to the proposals from Romanes Pharmacy were received by the planning department.

Concerns include that the scheme was “out of keeping with the character of the conservation area” and that it would be “disruptive” to nearby residents.

A further concern surrounded the parking on the High Street, which was described as “parking at all hours when parking is already an issue, chaotic and often dangerous”.

Planning officials agreed that the installation of the pharmacy dispenser would be an issue.

They said that it would not “preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the listed building but would detract from it”.

The application was also discussed by Dunbar Community Council.

Alasdair Swan, treasurer of the group, was pleased to see the matter having been called in for councillors to decide on.