LONG-term plans for the former opencast mining site at Blindwells could see more than 6,000 houses built there over the coming decades.

Already, plans for 1,600 homes at Blindwells are with East Lothian Council.

No decision has been made on those proposals, which were submitted by Turley on behalf of Hargreaves Surface Mining Ltd last month.

However, East Lothian Council’s Main Issues Report (MIR) highlights the Strategic Development Plan’s (SDP) “continued commitment” to the site.

The Blindwells site could expand from east of the Bankton Junction on the A1 as far as the Gladsmuir Junction, almost three miles away.

According to the MIR: “In regional terms the Blindwells area is highly accessible, including by public transport, and there are opportunities to improve this.

“The cumulative impact of development on the transport network, including at Old Craighall, is an important issue that requires to be resolved.” If, 1,600 homes are built on the site it would mean a new primary school being built, with the pupils then going on to Preston Lodge High School.

But if the site was to grow to anywhere between 3,500 and 6,000-plus homes it could mean between two and four new primary schools with a new secondary school cluster at Blindwells possibly being created.

The report continues: “The SDP has a long-term vision for Blindwells new settlement: this is the creation of a large scale new mixed community that will contribute to housing land requirements up to 2032 and beyond.” And the report states the creation of a new town centre at Blindwells could also benefit other surrounding communities, although “a clear and agreed” strategy would need to be set out.

“Located in the highly accessible western part of East Lothian, where most of the area’s population is, Blindwells is also a logical location to promote employment and inward investment opportunities,” the report states.