PLANS for about 250 new homes on the outskirts of Whitecraig have been given the go-ahead, despite councillors admitting that they were concerned about the size of the development.

A site off the village’s Cowpits Road had been earmarked for housing by East Lothian Council in the East Lothian Local Development Plan.

However, a number of councillors at East Lothian Council’s planning committee meeting on Tuesday questioned if Wallace Land Investments’ plans were simply too big for the 11.4-hectare site.

Among those who welcomed the application – but questioned if 250 houses were too many – were ward councillors Kenny McLeod and Colin McGinn.

Mr McLeod said: “I’m delighted there is an application here. The only downside is it is jumped from 200 to 250.”

But he said he was pleased that the plans would allow more families to remain in Whitecraig.

As part of the development, millions of pounds will go to East Lothian Council for various infrastructure improvements. That includes £3,152,750 split between the village’s primary school, which will receive £2,079,250, and the cost of campus land and the capital costs for the new secondary school in Musselburgh (£1,073,500).

A further £288,637.50 will go towards the provision of a new sports pitch in the village.

Mr McGinn echoed concerns about the extra housing but noted that there was no objection from the village’s community council.

Finally, Councillor Stuart Currie, who represented the village before changes to the local council ward boundaries, also had his say on the scheme, which will see two Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) ponds created, as well as a play area at the heart of the development.

Access will come from Whitecraig Road, to the east of the development, with a second access coming from Cowpits Road to the west.

Mr Currie said: “The reality is Whitecraig needs houses.

“They have missed out not just on housing but on contributions from developers and upgrades to facilities in the village.”

A second site, to the south of the village, has been earmarked as a potential location for mixed use development.

The site, to the south of Carberry Court and the village’s primary school, could accommodate in the region of 300 new homes.

No planning application has yet been submitted for the site.