BUILDERS could be asked to include bungalows in future housing developments amid fears a lack of single-storey homes are forcing people out of East Lothian.
Councillor Willie Innes, council leader, has urged planning officials to include a provision in negotiations with future developers for homes which can accommodate disabled and elderly people.
He said: “There has to be a recognition that these kind of houses are in short supply and across East Lothian we need more single-storey houses for elderly and disabled people.
“People should have the opportunity to remain in East Lothian when they need to downsize.”
The council leader was speaking as a planning application for 68 new homes south of Brodie Road, Dunbar, was approved last week.
Community councillor Jacquie Bell told a meeting of the planning committee that Dunbar Community Council supported the development but was disappointed by the lack of bungalows.
She said: “We would have liked to have seen single-storey properties in the form of bungalows which have not been provided in Dunbar for many years.”
Mr Innes said he supported the call, adding: “We should ask planners when negotiating with developers that this type of housing is provided.”
He was backed by Councillor Brian Small, who added: “It is something planners need to think about. There is a market for it; there are people looking to downsize and it is down to us as a council to address this issue.”
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