PLANS for more than 500 new homes in Tranent have been lodged with East Lothian Council.

The plans are for an area of land south of the town centre, between Windygoul Primary School and Fleets Industrial Estate; the land is earmarked for residential use by East Lothian Council as part of its Local Development Plan.

An original proposal for the land was submitted to the council last October by Walker (Scotland) Ltd.

Since then, the company’s masterplan has been revised in a bid for the new application to answer concerns raised by the council and statutory consultees.

The revised masterplan includes new bus routes and larger playpark areas.

David Thomson, a member of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, said: “My concerns specifically related to the roads, medical facilities, cemetery and schools within Tranent being unable to cope with the increase in population should this development be permitted to proceed.

“In my opinion, much more consideration needs to be given to the needs of the community and the redevelopment of the town centre, in particular the disused council properties.

“We feel this should be a priority.

“Any further development and population increase would be detrimental at this time. In order to sustain a community, there need to be facilities for the whole community, lest we run the risk of destroying the heart of the town and creating a commuter town devoid of community infrastructure and community spirit.”

East Lothian Council’s planning committee is due to make a decision on the plans at its next meeting on May 7.