NEGOTIATIONS over land for a new cemetery in Prestonpans are in the “final stages”, according to East Lothian Council.

The local authority has confirmed it is close to securing a deal for land in the town to ease the pressure on Prestonpans Cemetery, which is nearly full.

The existing graveyard, off Nethershot Road, serves both the town and Cockenzie and Port Seton.

Planning permission for a new cemetery to be included next to a housing development currently being built at Dolphingstone, beside Royal Musselburgh Golf Club, was initially approved three years ago. However, environment agency SEPA raised concerns about the impact a burial ground would have on water quality on the site and plans to build there stalled.

The council’s current negotiations were revealed in a report to elected members on Tuesday confirming two sites were “in final stages of negotiation, with planning permissions lodged”.

One of those sites is in Dunbar, where the council has confirmed it is seeking approval for a new cemetery south of the A1087 on the outskirts of the town.

The second site has been confirmed as in Prestonpans but the exact location has yet to be revealed.

A council spokesperson said: “Negotiations over the Prestonpans site are ongoing.”