EAST Lothian’s first crematorium looks set to be given the go-ahead – but will be banned from scattering ashes on its grounds.

Plans to convert Alderston House, to the north of Haddington, into a privately-run crematorium go before East Lothian Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.

And despite receiving 26 objections, and concerns from NHS Lothian, officials have recommended the committee approve the application.

However, conditions proposed include restricting hours of operation and banning ashes from being scattered on the house gardens.

A report to the committee estimates the new facility could carry out, on average, two cremations a day, six days a week.

Figures provided by applicant Mark Lamb stated that in 2012 there were 1,037 deaths recorded in East Lothian, with 60 per cent of them leading to cremations.

Although the report concedes that not all of these funerals would have taken place in the county, it estimates that two ceremonies a day could be the average once it is up and running.

It recommends allowing the crematorium to operate from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.

But it includes a condition that “to safeguard the amenity of the area, including the amenity of neighbouring residential properties, there shall be no scattering of cremation ashes on any part of the application site and any ashes to be interred shall be located in the memorial garden... and shall be contained within a fully sealed container.” Mr Lamb welcomed the official report and said he was now awaiting the decision of the planning committee.

He said: “I believe it is common sense: a crematorium is required in East Lothian and we are using a lovely building, which is lying derelict, to provide a service for the community.” The council received 26 written objections to the proposed crematorium.

Among the reasons given for objecting were traffic congestion, fears pollutants from the crematorium could be ingested by grazing animals, leading to contaminated milk, and noise issues.

There were also objections from the owners of The Coach House, which sits next to Alderston House, and nearby offices, as well as a claim there was a conflict of interest because East Lothian Council currently owns Alderston House, which has been up for sale since 2011 and was previously used for council offices, a convalescent home and a nurse training centre.

NHS Lothian raised concerns over the emissions from the proposed crematorium.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency confirmed there would be emissions from the facility but said it would control them under pollution legislation.

The planned crematorium will not alter the outside of the historic listed building.

The planning application said that, apart from minor work to upgrade the existing disabled access ramp at the house, there would be no external alterations.

Within the house itself, there are plans to create a chapel, which can seat 120 people, as well as residential rooms for a groundskeeper, and a restaurant.

There are also plans to install not just a human cremulator but one for pets as well.

Outside, a memorial garden would be created, as well as wooded walks for the public.

Among conditions laid down by planning officials for approval of the committee is a limit on noise from the crematorium of 5dB above background noise, restricted hours and a demand of one-hour breaks between funerals.

The nearest crematorium to East Lothian is at Mortonhall, Edinburgh.