REFRESHED plans offering “eco accommodation” on the outskirts of Pencaitland have been lodged with East Lothian Council.

Proposals were submitted last year by Mr and Mrs McNeill of Tranent.
The scheme would see five timber cabins built on the western edge of the village, south of the A6093.

A coffee shop serving fresh barista-style coffee, home-made soups, sandwiches, salads and breakfasts would be created, as well as a new house built on the site beside Roselea Cottage for the site operators to live in.

The plans were altered to see the size of the site made smaller, which meant documents had to re-registered.

A design and access statement has been submitted to the council planning department which gives further details about the proposals.

As well as an area home to an array of wildlife, including chickens, rabbits and bees, eco accommodation would be created.

Five small eco-cabins would each include a bedroom, toilet and porch, while there would also be a coffee shop on the site.

The document reads: “The cabins will provide much-needed visitor lodging for tourists through unique eco accommodation, diversifying the rural economy through tourism.

“A coffee and gift shop will not only benefit those staying in the eco cabins but it will also provide much-needed respite to cyclists and walkers utilising the Pencaitland Railway Path.

“Being on the outskirts of Pencaitland, the site also allows villagers to benefit from the coffee shop along with the other amenities on the site, such as a play area and garden.”

A two-bedroom single-storey house would also be created, with the applicants living on-site to assist visitors.

Ralph Averbuch, chairman of the village’s community council, said the group did not have any strong feelings either way regarding the development, but he was pleased to see something which could bring jobs to the village on the cards.