PLANS to recreate a village in Elvingston and double the size of its science centre are being put out to public consultation by the owners of the land.

Dr David and Janice Simpson, who helped set up the original Elvingston Science Centre in 1997 have revealed ambitious plans to create a second centre, equal in size to the current one, and build 34 new homes on neighbouring land to fund the project.

The houses will be built on ground currently used as an established plum orchard, which has been known to produce up to 60 tons of fruit each year.

The science centre will mirror the one currently on the land which has ten units for businesses as well as meeting rooms and kitchen facilities.

Dr David Simpson said the plan to expand the science centre had always been under discussion, and now was the time to take it to the next phase.

He said: "We are full at the centre and have been operating at capacity for several years.

"We are turning people away so we have to expand. Our focus has always been about promoting East Lothian as a place for innovative industry and high quality jobs.

"We want people to travel from Edinburgh to work here, not the other way around and our location is perfect for many companies."

The science centre was originally established with a partnership between Scottish Enterprise, East Lothian Council and Simpson Research Ltd, with the objective to provide a unique, innovative business environment, supporting a growing nucleus of high-tech, knowledge-based companies.

Both Dr Simpson and his wife Janice enjoy providing support for start-up companies as they begin building their businesses.

However they say as the companies grow the need for more space means they move on from Elvingston, with firms like Robop and Sunamp Ltd, which started there, seeking bigger premises at Macmerry.

Mrs Simpson said: "We have had 30 successful companies over the years resulting in 450 high quality jobs, but the demand for more space means we need to expand.

It is very rewarding to see the businesses grow but I am always a little sad to see them move on."

Some of the most successful companies to come out of the centre include pharmaceutical firm Almac and Goose Green Home Care Ltd, which was sold to Living Services Scotland.

The centre is also home to Elvingston Stud, which breeds top quality horses for sport and recreation, and M Power World Ltd, a cutting edge new technology firm working on ways to purify waste water and harness energy, as well as MacGregor Health Care.

Mrs Simpson says the planned new centre will be the greenest one they can build.

Having already installed a biomass unit at the centre they are now looking into adding solar PV panels.

Mrs Simpson said: "I am very keen to make the new building as green as it possibly can be."

And they say the housing, which will enable them to expand the centre, will aim to recreate a village on the land.

Dr Simpson said: "There used to be a village here, and a brewery, we would want to create housing with a village feel rather than just a development."

The plans for the new development at Elvingston will go on public display in the centre on Wednesday, November 4, between 2pm and 8pm.