Lidl and B&M submit store plans and £30 million investment in East Lothian

Lidl and B&M are planning to build new stores at DunBear Park in East Lothian, delivering a £30m investment into the development.Planning applications have been submitted to East Lothian Council for Lidl’s 1,996 sq m store and B&M’s 2218 sq m store, as well as essential road infrastructure.The new stores are set to create up to 80 jobs, should planning consent be given.The joint application by Hallhill Developments, Lidl and B&M, follows planning applications for roads, footpaths and essential infrastructure submitted last year, together with renewable energy proposals for the site.The 54.3 acre development is designed around the DunBear, a five-metre high steel sculpture of a brown bear, which pays tribute to Dunbar-born naturalist John Muir.The mixed-use development aims to include office, industrial, retail, leisure, care facilities, community and residential uses.Hallhill Developments has committed to work with local community groups, including the Dunbar Traders Association, to deliver onsite signage, pushing people to visit the town centre.The proposed road layout for the development provides a through route east to west across the site, with pedestrian and cycle routes included within the scheme.DunBear Park aims to be a sustainable development, adopting the latest low carbon technology to generate renewable heat and power on site.Heating is planned to be delivered onsite via a district heating network, including the use of modern, low carbon electric heat pumps. The pumps will be powered by their own green electricity supply fed from a series of photovoltaic and battery arrays, which will also deliver green energy to the whole site.