Property developer Ken Ross has acquired Hallhill Developments, which has been working in Dunbar for more than two decades.
The mixed-use site beside the A1 extends to more than 400 acres and includes residential, commercial, retail, recreation and education buildings.
The development is based around the five-metre-high sculpture of a brown bear - The DunBear - designed by Scottish sculptor Andy Scott, who is also famous for designing The Kelpies.
Since starting work on site in 1999, the Hallhill development has delivered more than 1,500 homes, either built or under construction. Around 250 of these are affordable family homes.
The Hallhill development is also the location for Dunbar Primary School, together with playing fields, an Asda supermarket, a garden centre, hotel, pub/restaurant and a McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant.
A further 15 acres of land now hosts community sports hub the Healthy Living Centre, while more than 50 acres of woodland was given to the local Woodland Trust.
An independent economic assessment in 2018 by Mackay Consulting identified that more than 600 jobs have been created, 1,524 homes have been built or are under construction and over £30m is being contributed to the local economy every year at Hallhill.
Since its inception, the population of Dunbar has increased from around 8,500 to circa 14,400, facilitating the delivery of education, road infrastructure and sporting facilities for the town.
Ross commented: “I am proud to have worked at Dunbar for many years and now look forward to continuing to deliver and complete the works started by the previous owners.
“By increasing the population of Dunbar through new homes, we have been able to generate the vital investment required to deliver the facilities the community desires, ensuring their continued sustainability.
“I look forward to developing further at Hallhill, delivering a sustainable development that will address climate change and the needs of the community.”
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