CONSULTATION on the future development of East Lothian, including identifying sites for more 10,000 new homes over the next decade, is now open to the public.

East Lothian Council is required by the Scottish Government to detail how the county will meet its statutory requirement for housing, as well as land for employment and the necessary infrastructure to support it.

The Main Issues Report (MIR) is a consultation document that asks a number of questions and is now open to the public for scrutiny.

Six consultation events are being held, with the first of those taking place in The Brunton in Musselburgh on Monday, and then in Prestonpans Community Centre on Thursday.

The report identifies potential areas of land that could provide the number of homes needed and support jobs while retaining the characteristics that attract people to the county. It also considers the transport, schooling and environmental aspects of development.

The MIR is the first step to the council producing its Local Development Plan.

Already, a preferred strategy for “compact growth”, which would see development concentrated in the west of the county, has been established. One of the main reasons behind that strategy is the established transport links.

However, a reasonable alternative of spreading development across the county has also been suggested with ‘preferred’ and ‘alternative’ sites put forward for each of East Lothian’s main towns.

Four further events will be held in the county, with Haddington’s Town House (November 25), Dunbar’s Castle Social Club (December 2), North Berwick Community Centre (December 4) and Tranent’s The Fraser Centre (December 8) all pencilled in.

The six sessions see informal drop-in sessions from 2pm to 5.30pm, with two-hour workshops 6.30-8.30pm.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, cabinet spokesman for housing and environment, said: “Having an overview of future development and land use is a legal requirement but it’s also good for communities and businesses as it offer reassurance and transparency.

“The terms ‘preferred’ and ‘alternative’ are required by the Scottish Government but they offer a useful starting point for our discussions during the consultation. No decisions have been made and we’re very keen to hear as many views as possible on how we can grow East Lothian.”