The application for a pump track, skate park, basketball court, café and changing room building on land south of Hallhill Sports Centre, Kellie Road, Dunbar, had been called off the scheme of delegation by two councillors due to the significant amount of interest and comment within the local community.

The skate park, basketball court, changing rooms and café will be delivered through the Dunbar Community Development and Heritage Trust (DCDHT), who will also manage the day-to-day operation of the facilities through an agreement with another community organisation.

The land and the facilities will continue to be owned by the council but managed by DCDHT through a service level agreement.

The café and toilet facilities are expected to be open between 10am and 10pm every day. An agreement has been made to fence off Dunbar Primary School car park and use it in the evenings and weekends when the school is closed. The council will create a new park entrance from the access road to the school at Hallhill Sports Centre.

A total of 76 representations were received by the council, of which 55 objected to the application, 20 supported the application and one made comment.

Reasons for objection included that the location is an area of green space used by local wildlife and it is in a secluded area where young people congregate and the proposals would exacerbate anti-social behaviour.

Reasons for support included that there is little for children to do in Dunbar and thus the addition of a pump track and skate park near the school and sports centre would be hugely popular and would provide outdoor facilities for new families who move into the area.

Council officers had recommended that consent be granted and, following a debate, planning committee members voted unanimously to approve their recommendation.