A LONG-ESTABLISHED Musselburgh business will be looking for new premises for its continuation and expansion if a plan for 44 new flats on its present site gets the go-ahead from East Lothian Council – and it could involve leaving the Honest Toun.

Alastair Raitt, managing director of H M Raitt & Sons Ltd, a local joiner/builder/contractor, said the company, which has 30 employees, was continuing to trade normally.

He added that, if planning permission was granted for housing on the site at Olivebank Road, they would be looking for new premises for the continuation and expansion of the business, which is more than 110 years old.

Planning consent is being sought for the joint venture between Hopefield Partnerships and Places for People, providing flats which would be offered as mid-market rent to meet the need for quality affordable housing locally.

READ MORE: Plans revealed for 44 new flats

Mr Raitt said if the housing plan were approved, the company’s new base would not need to be Musselburgh, as the majority of the company’s work was in Edinburgh.

“Or further east, in East Lothian – just somewhere within a few minutes of the road network is what we will be looking for,” he added.

Founded in 1908, H M Raitt and Sons undertakes commercial, domestic, new build, restoration and renovation works of any size.