A SPECIAL meeting discussing the potential expansion of Gullane is being held next week.

Four sites in and around the village have been earmarked as locations for potential development under East Lothian Council’s Main Issues Report (MIR).

The Scottish Government has tasked the local authority with building 10,050 new homes before 2024, with a number of sites being looked at across the county.

Now, Gullane Area Community Council is encouraging residents of Gullane and West Fenton to attend the meeting next Thursday (January 22) at 6.30pm in the Scout Hall to find out more.

Jeremy Findlay, chairman of the community council, was keen for people to come along and air their own views.

He said: “Infrastructure is obviously a huge issue.

“The primary school, if not at capacity, is extremely close to it, so that would be a major concern for those with young children.

“The other is transport.

“We don’t have a direct rail link and the bus service leaves a little to be desired.

“Transportation would be an issue both in terms of people commuting from the village and also coming through the village.” One of the main sites under consideration for housing is the Scottish Fire Services College, which is earmarked for closure.

The 4.2-hectare site was previously home to the Marine Hotel but could be transformed into housing.

Mr Findlay said: “Without wanting to prejudge what people will say at the meeting, I think it is inevitable that the fire college will be turned into housing.” Another site, to the south of the village’s primary school at Saltcoats Field, has been earmarked as potentially hosting 250 houses.

Similarly, sites on either side of the A198, to the east of the village, have also been highlighted for consideration.

However, Mr Findlay was keen to see Gullane retain its existing boundaries.

He felt building outside the boundaries would change the shape of the village and could be avoided with the development of the fire college site.