THE number of properties planned for the outskirts of Macmerry has been reduced.

Balfour Beatty revealed plans in November for more than 150 new homes on the village’s western edge.

At that time, the development was to be made up of 125 houses and 32 flats.

However, that has now changed, with 123 houses and 20 flats planned for the site, to the north and west of existing houses on Main Road.

A spokeswoman for Balfour Beatty said changes in the planned sewage drainage system had resulted in the reduction in the number of homes being proposed.

The site would contain 36 affordable properties, made up of one and two-bedroom flats, as well as two, three and four-bedroom homes.

A total of 12 one-bedroom flats would be created, with eight two-bedroom flats.

The affordable housing would be made up of six two-bedroom homes, nine three-bedroom properties and a single four-bedroom house.

The remaining houses would be a mix of house styles: 11 two-bedroom homes, 43 three-bedroom homes and 53 four-bedroom detached properties.

The development would be accessed by a new road off the A199, between the existing properties on the western edge of the village and the road to Adniston Farm.

If the plans are approved by East Lothian Council, it will be the second major housing development in Macmerry to be given the go-ahead in recent months.

Last September, 94 houses and eight flats on land to the north of St Germains Terrace were approved.

Maureen Cuthill, chairwoman of Macmerry and Gladsmuir Community Council, stressed she had no issue about housing being added to the village but was concerned that improvements to infrastructure were not matching the pace of development.

She said: “I just think the whole of East Lothian is getting overwhelmed with houses.

“Taylor Wimpey is going to build, then Balfour Beatty is going to build and there is just one shop in the village.”