The Battle of Prestonpans Heritage Trust has developed outline plans to build a £7m permanent visitor centre close to the Jacobite battle site in East Lothian where Bonnie Prince Charlie defeated government forces in 1745.

Local architect Gareth Jones has designed a masterplan to demonstrate how the proposed visitor centre could be created from the current commemorative coal bing close to the battle site.

The facility will comprise an exhibition and interpretation space as well as a flexible arts and conference area, shop and café.

Historic Scotland has officially recognised the Battle of Prestonpans as one of the most important and threatened war sites in the country, while hospitality consultancy company RGA has carried out a study showing that the visitor experience could attract more than 70,000 tourists each year.

Local MSP Iain Gray said: “Tourism is very important to East Lothian and it makes sense to develop the fantastic legacy of Prestonpans. This project has the potential to attract more visitors to the area as a whole.

“The study confirms that there is a very large market for a centre which gives people an insight into the Jacobite victory and the wider industrial heritage of the area.

“The success of the Culloden centre shows that there is a huge appetite for battle experience.”

In the meantime, the Trust has established a small makeshift visitor centre and exhibition close to the site, which is open every weekend until the end of September and staffed by volunteers.

Photograph: Iain Gray MSP and highlander Adam Watters, courtesy of Bill Brady