PLANS to build new housing on land either side of Tranent Cemetery are being put forward by developers.

Talks are already under way between East Lothian Council and landowners to extend the cemetery grounds into land to the west of its current location, after it was revealed it was close to capacity.

But developers Omnivale Ltd last week lodged their intention to hold public consultations over new plans to use the land for housing, as well as building on the land to the east, and a burial extension.

A Proposal of Application Notice was lodged with the local authority for 6.89 acres of land, currently agricultural fields, on both sides of the cemetery towards the A1.

The number of houses proposed is not stated. Public consultation meetings are expected to be held over the next two months.

The council says negotiations are ongoing with the owner of land running from the current graveyard down to the bottom of Church Street in the hope of securing it for an extension.

Councillors were this week warned the county faces a high risk of running out of space to bury residents, causing distress to families.

A report to this week’s audit and governance committee said a recent audit revealed there was less available burial space in the county than previously believed.

It said the local authority faced a high risk that an “inability to provide an efficient burial service and sufficient land for burial purposes would mean the council is unable to undertake its statutory duties, and create distress to family and mourners”.

Among the measures listed to help address the issue was the plan to look for additional ground in Tranent. It also pointed out planning applications for new burial sites in Dunbar and Prestonpans were currently active.

A council spokesperson said: “The current situation at Tranent Cemetery is that the cemetery is close to capacity and we are seeking a further extension. The Local Development Plan has identified land adjacent to the existing cemetery which runs to the bottom of Church Street as suitable for cemetery use.

“This land is not in council ownership and we have been in initial discussions with the landowner to purchase this site for future cemetery use.”