NORTH Berwick Trust has indicated its intention to become a limited company.

The trust was set up in 1974 when North Berwick Town Council was disbanded, and has held, in trust, land on the Mains Farm estate, with the view of selling it to the highest bidder.

Now housing is being built on the land by Walker Group, Cala Homes and Cruden Homes, and the trust is to retain £15 million it has received from the sale for grants to charities and good causes in North Berwick.

However, the trust announced plans last week to “modernise and restructure”.

A statement read: “It has recently applied to the regulator (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator) for the power to wind up the charity – there is no intention to do so, having this power is simply a technical step required to become a company limited by guarantee which will allow greater flexibility and for the trust to be more effective and transparent in term of its administration and structure.”

Malcolm Baker, chairman, said: “This has been a long, challenging process but this is now a time to look to the future. We look forward to receiving the funding applications and being able to support worthy causes in the town. We are also looking forward to seeing all the development plans take shape, welcoming new homes and public space for North Berwick to enjoy.”

The first applications for funding from the trust will be accepted in September.

The initial portion of funding, of £50,000, will be available for grants to local charities and good causes, who are required to submit application forms through the trust secretary, Lyle Crawford.

Mr Baker, one of six North Berwick community councillors on the trust, added: “This is an exciting new phase when we are able to look to the future and see real change ahead thanks to the developments and funding.

“We have worked extremely hard over a period of many years, and in particular over the past four years, to achieve these results.

“I would like to extend my thanks to my fellow trustees who have devoted a great deal of personal time, effort and expertise entirely voluntarily to this cause.”

Trustees, who include community councillors, Councillor Jim Goodfellow, Dr Morgan Flynn, the Rev Neil Dougall, Val Harding from North Berwick Environment Trust and the town’s two school headteachers, have also completed agreements with the local authority and developers for the site at Mains Farm. These include the building of 105 affordable housing units consisting of social housing, mid-market rent and low-cost home ownership; a new sports pitch and changing accommodation; the transfer of 1.1 acres to education land; and a foot and cycle path from Gilsland to the schools.

Grant application form will be available on the community council website (northberwickcommunitycouncil.org.uk), or through Mr Crawford at ldc@lylecrawford.co.uk or in writing to Lyle Crawford & Co CA, Glen Orchy, 15 Glenorchy Road, North Berwick, EH39 4PE.