PLANS for the development of Gullane’s historic Scottish Fire and Rescue Service College into housing will be unveiled next week.

The fire college, which was a county landmark for decades, closed its doors in March last year.

Planning permission in principle was given for 125 homes on the site in April.

Now, CALA Homes has confirmed its intention to redevelop the brownfield site, just off the village’s Main Street, with proposals to be revealed for the first time next week.

It is hoped that, if approved, work could get under way early in 2017.

Craig Lynes, land director at CALA Homes, said: “Brownfield sites such as this play an important part in CALA’s plans for development across Scotland, and help to meet the housing targets set by the Scottish Government.

“The former fire college is a unique site, offering an excellent opportunity to create a quality environment comprising a range of homes to suit a variety of needs.

“Central to the detailed plans is the sensitive conversion of the landmark Henderson House into a range of apartments of varying sizes.

“This will be complemented with a mix of new-build apartments, mews, terraced and semi-detached housing – tailored in response to the site’s approved masterplan.”

The site will include 31 affordable homes, as well as keeping Henderson House, which is also known as the former Marine Hotel.

The fire service college was opened in 1954 and provided recruit training for the fire and rescue services before the creation of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Meanwhile, CALA Management Ltd currently has plans in for housing developments at two other sites in the village.

Both proposals, which would see 150 homes built at Saltcoats Field, to the south of the village, and 49 homes at Fenton Gait East, at the eastern side of the village, are being considered by East Lothian Council.

Jeremy Findlay, chairman of Gullane Area Community Council, called for CALA to develop the former fire college site first.

He said: “We would like to know what their plans are and would like to be involved with the plans as well, either the community council or [residents’ group] Gullane Opposes Over Development (GOOD), just to ensure the actual make-up of the houses being built includes the range that people are looking for, such as social, affordable housing.”

A GOOD spokesman said: “The GOOD campaign would be very pleased to hear of any proposals by any developer to develop the fire school site because we believe that should be the priority and that should be developed before any of the other greenfield sites.”

The houses proposed for the site range from one to five-bedroom units, with CALA also set to make a seven-figure contribution for the improvement and expansion of the village’s primary school and other facilities in the village.

A total of £1,843,000 will be given to East Lothian Council to spend on local schooling, with the village’s pre-school and primary school, as well as North Berwick High School, benefiting from the financial contribution. Money will also go towards recreation and play equipment in the surrounding area.

CALA is holding a public exhibition on Tuesday at Henderson House, between 4.30pm and 8pm, to allow interested parties to review and consider the proposals.

Mr Lynes added: “Subject to detailed and technical consents, CALA is committed to prioritising and commencing the redevelopment of the fire college site early next year.”