TWO disused workshops could make way for four new homes on the edge of Dirleton.

East Lothian Housing Association (ELHA) has identified the site, off Harpenside Crescent and Station Road, as ideal for the small development.

Under the plans, the two buildings would sit beside one another, with each building home to two cottage apartments.

The scheme, which would be to the north of the already-approved 36-home development at Castlemains, is being weighed up by East Lothian Council’s planning department.

Each of the four properties would be made up of two bedrooms, a bathroom, living room and kitchen.

According to a summary of the plans for the 0.2-hectare site: “The workshops have lain unused for a number of years and ELHA have seen the opportunity to develop the site for residential use for affordable housing that will be complementary to the recently granted planning approval for 36 residential units, adjacent to the southwest of the site.

“ELHA and their consultant team recognise the sensitivity of the site within the context of the village and the importance of integrating the new site with the approved proposals.

“We see the site as an extension of the wider approved masterplan and an opportunity to enhance the approach into the village from Station Road by creating a feature pocket park that will complement the approved landscape designs of the wider development.

“The proposals will provide four affordable cottage apartments that will sit alongside the similar cottage apartments of the wider development proposals.

“The architecture drawing from an existing palette of high-quality materials and details to create uniformity of appearance and character established in the wider masterplan.”

The proposed demolition of the existing workshops is being considered through a separate application.

The new homes, with five parking spaces – one for each property and a visitor’s space – created alongside storage for bicycles, would be built on the vacant site.

Tom Drysdale, chairman of Gullane Area Community Council, which also covers Dirleton, said there were no objections to the principle of the site being used for housing.

However, there had been some concern about the design of the proposed homes.