THE site of a former council depot is being transformed into a two-storey, wheelchair-accessible block of flats for military veterans.

The development at Osborne Terrace, Cockenzie, is being built to cater specifically for disabled veterans and will consist of six two-bedroom flats.

The building site was visited by Graeme Dey MSP, minister for parliamentary business and veterans on Tuesday morning.

He said: “As veterans’ minister, it’s my job to ensure that we provide the right support for the Armed Forces community across Scotland.

“The Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting the Armed Forces, veterans and their families, and to ensuring they are not disadvantaged by their service or the circumstance they find themselves in because of this.

“It was a pleasure to visit Osborne Terrace to see the construction of these new, affordable homes for veterans.

“Our Armed Forces community deserves the best possible levels of support when they need it most – and this project is a great example of that.”

Construction started May with completion scheduled for December.

Councillor Jim Goodfellow, East Lothian Council’s spokesman for housing and its the Armed Forces Champion, said: “The move from service life to civilian life can present challenges for personnel and their families in a wide range of areas.

“This new development is a shining example of working together with partners to provide much-needed housing for veterans with specific needs. I’m sure it will make a difference to those who live here and their families. It also builds on the work we’re already doing to support veterans in general, to whom society as a whole owes a debt.”

East Lothian Council has also signed an Armed Forces Covenant, which brings together key partners from the council alongside health, education, service and veterans’ organisations to create policy and practices that will support armed forces personnel, both serving and retired, and their families.

The Scottish Veterans Garden City Association (SVGCA) will be one of the groups working with the council on this project, as well as being a key player in the Osborne Terrace development.

Richard Callander, chairman of the SVGCA said: “SVGCA are delighted to be working in partnership with East Lothian Council and the Scottish Government to provide affordable quality housing for veterans in need.

“SVGCA intends to replicate this ground-breaking opportunity Scotland wide and is meeting with other partners but thanks East Lothian Council for being the first local authority to deliver on the scheme.”