A BARN near Prestonpans Railway Station could be transformed into a veterinary physiotherapy clinic under plans lodged with East Lothian Council.

Lisa Cleeton is looking to convert the barn at Bankton Stables, to the south of the train station.

Plans are now with the council, with the local authority’s planning department aiming to make a decision by the end of next month.

Ms Cleeton highlighted that the need for the business had been brought about due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A supporting statement included with the planning application notes: “Due to this pandemic, I now wish to change my stables from personal use to veterinary physiotherapy clinic as, at present, I cannot go into my clients’ homes to carry out veterinary physiotherapy on their animals.”

The clinic could be open six days a week, from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and then from 8am to 12.30pm on a Saturday.

Ms Cleeton, who expected each appointment to last between 30 and 45 minutes, said: “The clinic would not be open all of these hours as I am able to carry out physiotherapy on other animals in their own stables and paddocks.

“I expect client numbers to be approximately 30 per week.

“There will be no other staff apart from myself.”