A CARE home and nursery could be built on the outskirts of Haddington after the developer behind a builders’ merchant pulled out.

Planning permission is in place for MKM Building Supplies to create a builders’ yard on land to the west of Gateside Road.

However, those proposals have now been shelved, with the developer confirming it does not intend to proceed.

Instead, Mansfield Care Ltd has purchased the land and hopes to open its first East Lothian care home.

Andrew Hume, chief executive of the care specialist, which is based in Edinburgh and has 11 care homes in Ayrshire, Edinburgh, Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, was excited about the move.

He said: “We have stepped in and purchased the land. We have intentions of building a top-of-the-market care home, which will outshine all the care homes in East Lothian.”

Architects are drawing up proposals for the site, with more than 50 jobs to be created there.

Mr Hume was hopeful that people living nearby would welcome the proposals, which could also include a nursery.

He said: “It will be our first purpose-built from scratch care home and it is a big step for us as a company. We are very excited about the opportunity.

“I have lived in East Lothian and was brought up in East Lothian and it is just a fantastic place.”

It marks the latest step in a lengthy planning process for the near-one-hectare site.

Nigel Jowett and Carolyn Jowett (Haddington) submitted plans for a nursing home and 30 extra-care flats on the site in the summer of 2015. Two years later, those plans were approved by East Lothian Council’s planning committee.

However, the plans never moved forward, with housing association Viewpoint pulling out less than 24 hours after the scheme was given the green light.

At that time, they said the creation of the 60-bed nursing home at Mill Wynd – less than a mile away – meant there would be an oversupply of care beds in the town.

Then, In-Site Property Solutions Ltd, was given the go-ahead for the builders’ merchant, which would have been operated by MKM Building Supplies, earlier this year.

The developers claimed that 18 jobs would be created and the business would be up and running by the end of the year.

Approval came despite more than 35 objections to the plans, with concerns including potential noise from the site, as well as safety concerns over vehicle access.

Councillor John McMillan, who represents the town on East Lothian Council, had called in the plans to be discussed at the local authority’s planning committee after noting there were 18 conditions attached to the recommended approval.

He voted against the plans, which eventually were approved on the casting vote of committee convener Councillor Norman Hampshire.

Mr McMillan said: “The developer has thought about it and decided the reaction [from neighbours] and the current climate was not right.”

Fellow ward councillor Craig Hoy had previously written to David Kilburn, MKM chief executive, urging the business to shelve the plans.

Mr Hoy had met with local residents who were concerned about the proposals. He was pleased the proposals had been “scrapped” and described it as “great news and a real win for local residents”.

The councillor has also been in discussions with the new developer and said: “As I said throughout the campaign, it is imperative that Haddington is developed in a way which is in keeping with the integrity of the town and that we develop a sense of place and purpose through the local planning system.

“I welcome the proposals for a care home, which is a far better outcome for those living in Gateside.

“I look forward to working with Mansfield Care Ltd and with local residents and would like to congratulate everyone involved in this successful campaign.”

The original planning permission for the nursing home and extra-care flats was due to expire in June but was given a reprieve due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A council spokeswoman said: “The application for a nursing home at Gateside was due to lapse on June 12. However, planning provisions included in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill mean applications due to expire within an ‘emergency period’ of six months from April 3 have had the duration extended for 12 months until April 2021. This means that the new owner could implement the permission as it stands.

“However, if there were any changes, they would need to discuss this with our planning officers, who would decide if it constitutes a significant change that would require a further application.”