A DECISION to approve housing at Dunbar Golf Club has been questioned, more than a year after approval was given.

East Lothian Council’s planning committee gave the green light to 78 four and five-bedroom homes, split over two phases at the historic golf course, in August last year.

Both the town’s community council and the group from neighbouring West Barns raised concerns.

READ MORE: Dunbar: £3.6m housing plans at golf club approved

The scheme was launched at the end of last month and the decision to approve the plans, which will also allow a new clubhouse, golf academy and driving range, was questioned again.

Pippa Swan, chairwoman of Dunbar Community Council, highlighted the development at the group’s annual general meeting last month.

She said: “The CALA housing development at the Deer Park caused a great deal of community concern, primarily on the grounds of loss of publicly accessible, recreational greenspace and we campaigned hard to see the worst effects of this development mitigated when we were invited to test it against the rigorous environmental and community-centred requirements of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4).

“Our arguments against the development in its current form were not heeded and East Lothian Council approved the scheme in its entirety.

“Building work has commenced without a single one of our proposed mitigations being adopted.

“This was a sorry day for the planning process in Dunbar.”

Mrs Swan also highlighted the recently approved plans for a new pump track, skatepark and other facilities beside the Lochend Woods campus of Dunbar Primary School.

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She described the proposed development of greenspace as “similarly challenging” and said: “Because of the level of public interest in the proposals, Dunbar Community Council hosted both proponents and opponents to speak to the scheme before making comment to East Lothian Council.

“The scheme was approved by East Lothian Council members in October and we look forward to seeing a scheme that will become a real recreational asset to young people and families whilst still respecting the importance of its landscape setting.

“Dunbar Community Council considers all developments, large or small, and we have very much appreciated being kept fully briefed by the promoters of both theSpace and Dunbar Business Park which will come forward through the planning process in due course.”

An exhibition showcasing theSpace’s plans for DunBear Point will take place on November 28, while proposals for Dunbar Business Park will be featured at an exhibition on November 18.

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Both exhibitions take place at the town’s Hallhill Sports Centre.