The steel structure of the main stand of a planned but now abandoned greyhound stadium at Wallyford is set to be taken down as part of site clearance work, amidst the start of construction of a new development of 94 houses in the area.

Scottish housebuilder Ambassador Living is set to break ground on fields at Barbachlaw Farm to provide a mixture of three, four and five-bedroom homes, including 24 affordable homes.

The new development, called Wallace Park, will see two executive show homes launched next summer.

Initial clearance will now start on site, including the demolition of the nearby steel structure of the greyhound stadium’s proposed main stand, which has stood as an ‘eyesore’ for 15 years, at Victory Lane.

The greyhound stadium project was officially scrapped only recently – 20 years after its plans were first put forward.

The Courier previously reported that the firm behind the greyhound stadium, Sirius Sport and Leisure, successfully applied to build housing on adjoining land at Barbachlaw Farm over the years, arguing that it was the only way to fund the project.

However, the housing was tied into an agreement with East Lothian Council that the racing venue would be built.

The council has agreed to release the firm from the obligation after it applied for a change to conditions to allow family butcher John Gilmour to take over the land.

It was revealed that John Gilmour Butchers had come to a conditional agreement with Sirius Sport and Leisure to take on the stadium site.

In a statement lodged with the council in support of the application, the family butcher’s firm said it intended to move its Macmerry operations to the site so that it could expand.

The firm wants to create a new butchery, a processing facility for a new range of plant-based foods, a deli, food hall and create 40 new jobs.

Ambassador Living has also acquired land, separate from the stadium site, for the new housing.

Gordon Coster, the company’s managing director, said: “We are delighted to have successfully acquired the land for our new development in East Lothian.

“This exciting acquisition will now allow us to move forward with creating a stunning new aspirational neighbourhood focusing on spacious modern living.

“We are looking forward to bringing the premium offering from Ambassador Living to East Lothian and introducing buyers to the high-quality specification and finishes on offer within our homes.

“We have enjoyed a great deal of early interest in this development, which lies in the heart of an important growth area.

“With its proximity to Edinburgh and well-established amenities and good schooling options, we expect this only to increase as we move towards our sales launch and invite homebuyers to register their interest early.”

A dedicated marketing suite at Wallace Park – the company’s first East Lothian development – is set to open this winter.