SEVENTY-SIX new homes could be built at the former Edenhall Hospital site in Musselburgh.

Stewart Milne Homes Central Scotland Limited is seeking East Lothian Council approval for the housing within the walled garden of historic Pinkieburn House, which was designed by renowned Scottish architect John Dick Peddie.

The site, which was associated with the estate of the Lindsay family in the early 19th century, became disused in 2010 following NHS Lothian’s decision to relocate services to the newly developed Musselburgh Primary Care Centre.

The residential development would include 45 new homes for private sale, which range from four to six-bedroom detached homes.

The 19th century buildings on the site would be “sympathetically restored” to provide 12 new luxury apartments and homes.

There would be a further 19 new affordable homes, providing one-bed apartments to three-bed terraced houses, “ensuring a wide mix of new homes for Musselburgh.”

A statement from the company added: “This will help address the critical need for new high-quality housing in the town – with careful planning and contextual design leading to the creation of communities that are designed to reflect the site’s local heritage.

“Stewart Milne Homes intend to deliver a high-quality development, based around the unique heritage assets of the restored and converted listed buildings at Edenhall, including Pinkieburn House, the stables and gardener’s cottage.

“Careful consideration has been given to the look and feel of this development to provide a sense of community and legacy.

“The proposed residential development will involve conversion of the listed buildings to form flatted apartments, and extended cottage and other linked villas, along with new build houses for sale elsewhere within the site.

“This will be an exciting opportunity to prevent the buildings and wider estate falling into further disrepair, and ultimately bring the setting back into appropriate residential use. Restoration and repair work will be conducted on a like for like basis, using materials to match the existing historic fabrics.”

It added: “To allow for high quality flood management, road access and opening the area for better daylight, some tree management work will be required.”

The site is allocated for residential development in the Proposed East Lothian Local Development Plan.

The proposed housing development would be served by the existing access from Edenhall Road, with the existing junction widened through relocation of the gate piers.

Gerry More, managing director of Stewart Milne Homes Central Scotland, said: “Following our initial public consultation and exhibition two years ago, our proposals have been welcomed by the local community.

“Our vision is to create new communities that are fit for 21st century living, whilst incorporating traditional values and features.”

Speaking at a meeting of Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council last week, group chairwoman Irene Tait said the last time she was at the site it was “all overgrown”.

She added: “It was horrible and dangerous, so it needs something done to it. They have got security measures but it becomes a danger for local children, although they’re not supposed to be there.”