A ROUNDABOUT could hold the key to a potential housing development on the outskirts of East Linton.

Plans for more than 100 homes on the community’s western edge were discussed by East Lothian councillors last Wednesday.

However, despite council officials recommending they give approval to Stewart Milne Homes’ plans for land adjacent to Orchardfield, the proposals have been deferred to look at the possibility of a roundabout or substantial junction improvements being carried out at the junction of the A199 and B1407.

Councillors aired concerns about vehicles approaching from Pencraig Hill in the west and then having to slow down in order to turn into East Linton.

Councillor Stuart Currie was among those worried that, without substantial changes to the junction, there would be an accident. He said: “I genuinely feel there will be a roundabout put in that road at some point. If it is not [done] now then it [will be] because something has happened.

“To slam on the anchors and do a left turn into East Linton is without a shadow of doubt an accident waiting to happen.”

A roundabout is in place at the eastern edge of the settlement, where the A199 joins the B1377. Councillors were keen to see the possibility of a similar idea for a roundabout on East Linton’s western edge being explored.

Councillors Willie Innes and David Berry agreed with Mr Currie that a roundabout seemed a sensible solution.

According to the proposals, access to the site would come from a new junction with the B1407, with alterations also made to the junction of the A199 and B1407 to improve road safety.

A trio of residents spoke against the proposals, which would see 93 houses, 20 flats and a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) pond created. Of the 93 houses, 64 would be detached, with 16 semi-detached and 13 terraced.

Two of the proposed homes would be two-bedrooms, with 33 three-bedrooms, 36 four-bedrooms and 22 five-bedrooms.

Sharon Boyle, from Save East Linton From Excessive Expansion; Jon Swift, secretary of East Linton’s community council; and Alexander Gibson, of the neighbouring Andrew Meikle Grove, all outlined concerns about the proposal and its impact.

Mrs Boyle highlighted existing problems with traffic flow on High Street.

Mr Gibson questioned the lack of a play area at the site, while Andrew Meikle Grove, a smaller development, did have one.

The report before councillors noted that the principal amenity officer felt it would be “more beneficial” to enhance the existing play area at Memorial Park than to create a new play area. The developers would have to pay more than £58,000 for the enhancement of the park.

However, Mr Gibson asked: “Does this council really think children will walk half a mile to the Memorial Park?”

Mr Swift felt any additional housing should be small-scale and integrated into the community, two things he felt the latest plans were not.