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.”