AMBITIOUS proposals to regenerate a business park on the western edge of Haddington are to be considered by East Lothian Council.

Developer Manse LLP is behind a scheme to revamp 13-acre Gateside Commerce Park for residential and business use.

This would include 112 new homes, with plans for business units and a new pub/restaurant.

Work is pencilled in for this summer, if proposals get the go-ahead.

The houses would be broken down into two bedroom (14), three-bedroom (42), four-bedroom (49) and five-bedroom (seven).

The business units and pub/restaurant would be based to the west of the site, next to land already approved for a Sainsbury’s store.

The commerce park is home to Crystals Ltd, which specialises in sport and health and beauty products, and East Lothian Council’s landscape and countryside staff.

Crystals Ltd’s lease comes to an end in June, with the council’s lease expiring at the end of July.

Crystals, which employs 21 staff, is looking for alternative premises, while the local authority department will return to the town’s Peppercraig Depot.

David Mitchell, managing partner of Manse, was hopeful the scheme would get the green light.

He said: “Following the public consultation exercise and community meetings towards the end of last year, we’ve taken on board feedback in refining our proposals to arrive at the best possible solution.” That consultation included talks with with the town’s community council.

Chairwoman Jan Wilson told the Courier on Tuesday night that the group welcomed the idea of a pub/restaurant but remained concerned about the idea of further housing being added.

She felt a new doctors’ surgery was needed, with the town’s schools also coming under increasing pressure as additional housing was added.

“Haddington is possibly the best small town in Scotland but it is not going to be a small town anymore,” she said.

Mrs Wilson also had fears that the business units would encourage people to stay out of the town centre, leading to two separate communities.

She said: “It could mean a lot of people, not just in the new housing developments but the existing houses, will just use the west end of the town.

“Our town centres are all dying.” The site, which is to the east of the approved Sainsbury’s plot, could be transformed within the next 12 months if the plans get the go-ahead.

Mr Mitchell said: “The western edge of the town will change significantly over the coming years as various projects come to fruition.

“We are therefore keen to ensure that this site, the last piece of the jigsaw for this side of Haddington, is appropriately developed to meet the needs of the town and the county as a whole.” It is intended to demolish the existing buildings this summer. Development could start in the autumn, with the first homes ready early next year.