A NEW crematorium may be built in East Lothian to meet the needs of the growing community.

It is the idea of the Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest independent owner of crematorium sites with 34 nationwide, three of which are in Scotland, including one in West Lothian.

The site will be located on the western edge of the county, close to its boundary with Edinburgh and near Musselburgh.

It will be found on the opposite side of the carriageway from the Musselburgh service area, close to the A1 junction to the City of Edinburgh Bypass at Old Craighall.

Formal plans have not yet been submitted for the crematorium but a proposal of application notice has been submitted to East Lothian Council.

The 12-acre site would include a chapel, parking and landscaped garden of remembrance.

It is expected to accommodate about five or six services a day and will create both direct and indirect employment.

The proposed facility would also serve Edinburgh as well as East Lothian.

Westerleigh is now going to begin the consultation process by engaging key stakeholders and members of the public, with a view of submitting a formal planning application in due course.

Roger Mclaughlan, chief executive officer of the Westerleigh Group, said: “There is a pressing need for a crematorium in East Lothian; this area already has a large population base which is going to grow further in the coming years, with some significant new housing developments being planned.

“The current Covid-19 pandemic means that we are not able to carry out the usual kind of face-to-face consultation.

“We are therefore finalising plans for a website-based consultation, which will take place on January 14, 2021, between 3pm and 7pm.

“As soon as we confirm those plans, we will let people know how they will be able to take part in the consultation, as it is very important to us that we have a positive relationship with the communities around all our sites.

“We pride ourselves on creating and maintaining crematoria which are attractive places for remembrance and reflection, and which are true assets to their local communities.”