East Lothian Council, working in conjunction with the Coastal Museum working party, has finalised plans for a new coastal museum based in North Berwick.

The plans are for the former school in the town and includes upgrading the library, based on the ground floor, re-opening a museum facility on the first floor and also providing space and interview rooms for housing and customer services.

Cabinet member for Community Wellbeing, Cllr Ruth Currie, said: "The new museum will be known as the North Berwick Coastal Museum as it will be the focus for the wider community including Dirleton, Gullane, Aberlady and other coastal villages. The project is very much a community partnership as local individuals and groups have been consulted on the plans for the museum via the working party.

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"I am aware that some community groups have already raised significant sums for the museum anticipating its re-opening and I look forward to this continued help from all interested in fundraising to assist with kitting out the museum and with plans for a café franchise within the new facility."

Robin MacEwen, Chair of the Coastal Museum working party, added: "After a long period when the museum has been closed the adoption of firm plans to re-open it with other improved facilities is really welcome. The working party will aim to maintain this fresh momentum and seek the assistance of all the communities in contributing to the success of the plans."

The plans currently form part of a planning application which will shortly be submitted. If approved, it is hoped that the work will be completed for the coastal museum to open by Spring 2012.

(GK)