ANOTHER pocket of land within the Blindwells development has been made available to housebuilders.

Marketing has commenced on the 1.8-hectare site, which is called ‘plot 11’ and is positioned in the northwest corner of the former opencast mine site.

Planning permission in principle is already in place for the first phase of the Blindwells development, between Tranent and Cockenzie and Port Seton.

Plot 11 has the capacity to accommodate about 70 new homes and site owner Hargreaves Land believes it will appeal to housebuilders looking to get a foothold in the new town.

Iain Slater, development and estates director at Hargreaves Land, said: “Despite Covid-19, 2021 has started on a very positive note for Blindwells.

“We are making excellent progress thanks to our investment in remediation and infrastructure works, but also as a result of the strong underlying demand for good-quality new homes in popular locations.”

Property consultancy JLL, which is appointed as sole agent for Hargreaves Land, anticipates strong interest and will be seeking offers in late April.

The latest announcement follows on the heels of Bellway commencing groundworks on its forthcoming 144-unit Prince’s Gate development on the Blindwells site.

Similarly, in recent weeks Hargreaves Land has also exchanged a conditional sale contract with Persimmon for a 12.9-acre plot where there is capacity for a further 196 homes, including 30 designated as affordable.

Jason Hogg, director at JLL, said: “House prices, sales and demand in East Lothian have surged in the last 12 months as home buyers seek accommodation that embraces additional space, technology and a high amenity environment – Blindwells can capitalise on this and we look forward to discussing the opportunity with the wider market.”