JOBS and businesses will be created through a new development at the heart of more than 400 homes in a county village.

Work to construct hundreds of new homes on the southern side of the East Coast Mainline at Longniddry has been ongoing for nearly a year.

Now, a second application, which includes a cafe and offices, has been approved by East Lothian Council.

A spokesperson for the Wemyss and March Estates said: “We are delighted to have received permission for the conversion of the existing buildings to business units at Longniddry Farm.

“These can provide space for commercial uses, such as for a cafe and offices, and we will now start preparing for the conversion and marketing of the units.

“In addition to much-needed new housing, we wanted to make sure that there were tangible benefits for the existing residents of Longniddry, such as employment opportunities, and that these are fully integrated with the existing village.

“Through this permission, we can continue to turn our initial vision into a reality, creating a genuine mixed-use development.”

Access to the site comes from the B6363, which links Longniddry to the A1, Gladsmuir and Macmerry.

Discussions over a sizeable housing development on the site have been ongoing for a number of years.

East Lothian Council’s planning committee approved plans for nearly 180 homes, including affordable housing for the over-60s, on the site in the summer of 2019.

Work began on the site last year, shortly before the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Initially, construction work was halted before developers returned, with the housebuilding now well under way.

According to the developer, the latest scheme will result in the reuse of “a significant cluster of vacant listed buildings, providing enterprise and employment opportunities”.

A planning statement submitted with the application, which was submitted to East Lothian Council in 2017 by Redhouse Capital Ltd and Socially Conscious Capital, notes: “The overall vision for the steading development is to create a local centre and hub for the Longniddry South development, supporting the vision for an exemplary and beautiful village expansion with a blend of employment opportunities, tourism facilities and local services not only for the new residents but also for existing residents of Longniddry.

“The steading will attract local businesses, [including] people seeking a sheltered and attractive cafe.

“We anticipate the accommodation will also be particularly attractive to artisans for studios and workshops space.”

Iain Stewart, chairman of the village’s community council, acknowledged that concerns about the infrastructure at the development remained.

He stressed the importance of ensuring there were good links for both pedestrians and vehicles between the new development and the existing village, and also called for assurances surrounding the village’s medical practice.

However, he was also keen to ensure people moving into Longniddry became part of the village.

He said: “I’ve been in touch with the developer in terms of the new folk coming into the village and we’re trying to produce a directory to go into the houses with village organisations and try to bring the new bit into the old.

“I’ll be going round the organisations and businesses and shops this month to get them to produce an insert that could go into a welcome pack for the new residents.”