WORK has started on nearly 80 homes on the outskirts of Haddington.

Persimmon Homes began preparing the site at Gateside earlier this month, with 79 homes due to be built over the coming months.

More than 250 jobs are expected to be created on the site.

Jim Kirkpatrick, managing director at Persimmon Homes East Scotland, confirmed: “Work is now underway at our £14.8 million development in Haddington. “Named Saxon Fields, the development will provide 79 much-needed new homes that will not only help local house hunters get onto the property ladder but will also create more than 250 jobs.

“The homes will be available for sale from July 2015 and house hunters interested in living at Saxon Fields can register their interest on our website to find out more about the collection of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes available.” Previously, the name of the site was questioned by residents, who doubted its relevance to Haddington. However, Mr Kirkpatrick stressed that ‘Saxon Fields’ was for “marketing purposes only” and would have no permanent bearing on the location once all of the properties were sold.

Ward councillor John McMillan was pleased to see progress made.

He told the Courier that discussions during the planning phase had highlighted an intention from the developer to act quickly on the site if planning permission was given.

Now that has happened, Mr McMillan added: “I think the positive thing is that the development shows a response to the demand that is around.

“It is just one of the wee signs around the town of the economy picking up and hopefully that continues in the town centre.” Another development is planned for the southern edge of the site, with discussions over a nursing home for the site ongoing.

A public exhibition was held in March, where members of the public could see In-Sight Property Solutions Limited and Viewpoint’s plans, which it was claimed would see 80 jobs created and a 60-bed nursing home and extra care flats.

Business units have also been proposed but, at that time, Paul Darling, from the town’s community council, said: “It’s far better to get 80 jobs than 20 jobs through the business units.”