PLANS for a £2 million extension at Prestonpans Health Centre have been published for the first time after they were submitted to East Lothian Council by NHS Lothian.

The Courier revealed the plans had been lodged with the local authority last month.

Now, the proposed layout can be seen for the first time as it outlines an extension at the front of the building which will house an additional six rooms plus storage, increasing the centre’s floorspace by a third.

A district nurse office is earmarked in the new extension, along with staff and administration offices and facilities. The plans will see the number of car parking spaces available at the centre reduced from 35 to 31.

East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, which oversees the project, hopes to have the extension completed by the end of this year, if it is approved by planners.

The centre was forced to close its books to new patients after reaching capacity last year. It is hoped the extension, along with plans to register the practice as a GP training centre, will help it manage the town's increasing population.

David Small, chief officer of East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “We are excited about having reached this important stage in the planning process.

“These developments will bring a wide range of benefits to patients and staff, increasing accessibility for the disabled and elderly, and providing a modern and more effective health centre for the people of Prestonpans.”