They went against Reporter Malcolm Smith's recommendation to refuse the outline planning application from Asda Stores Ltd and Dawn Developments.

A hotel, family bar and restaurant, drive-through restaurant, petrol filling station and tourist information centre also got the thumbs-up as part of the £20 million Spott Road project which will create 300 jobs.

Local MSP John Home Robertson said: "This is a good decision for local democracy and a good day for Dunbar.

"Our locally elected councillors granted consent for this retail project for the growing town of Dunbar."

Councillor Norman Hampshire, convener of East Lothian Council's planning committee, commented: "I am delighted the ministers have taken the decision to overrule the reporter's decision.

Conflicting views

"Councillors backed the community, the vast majority of which supported the application."

Stephen Bunyan, chairman of Dunbar Community Council, said: "While there are conflicting views in Dunbar, the mass of comments I have received are in favour of the development which vindicates the sustained pressure the people of Dunbar have kept up."

An Asda spokesman commented: "Not only will our plans be attractive to Dunbar shoppers, bringing the Asda brand and George clothing range to East Lothian for the first time, we will also be providing a petrol filling station on site."

Steven McConnell of Dawn Developments, which will market the hotel, bar and family restaurant, added: "It provides the opportunity for Dunbar to create the gateway to East Lothian."

Full report in East Lothian News, April 7, 2006