“FURTHER options” are being considered for a former nursery in the centre of Haddington.

Plans to transform the former Haddington Nursery School Annexe into more than a dozen homes were met with widespread criticism when they were revealed in the summer of 2019.

That option could now be off the table as East Lothian Council gives consideration to other uses for the site.

Previously, an information evening was held to reveal the housing plans, which showed that the building, on Meadowpark, would be demolished.

In its place, 14 new homes – one wheelchair accessible bungalow, five two-storey homes and eight cottage flats – were proposed.

However, the scheme was branded “a crazy idea” by a member of the town’s community council.

Jim Graham said: “It is pandemonium down that street just now.

“It is incredibly busy, especially mornings and afternoons with schoolchildren and Pear Tree Nursery children getting dropped off.”

Residents of the street and neighbouring Victoria Road, which is home to Knox Academy Meadowpark, also raised concerns about the proposals.

Issues included both the design, which was described as “an overdevelopment and certainly not in keeping with Victorian surroundings”, and the expected increase in traffic, particularly during construction.

The building, which opened as an annexe to Haddington Infant School in 1965, has sat empty for nearly a decade since closing in 2013, when pupils were moved to a new joint campus with St Mary’s Primary School.

Councillor Tom Trotter, who represents the town on East Lothian Council, described the site as “a blot on the landscape”.

Previously, he said: “Personally, I think the building is an eyesore and it is attracting folk to it that should not be there.

“There is a danger that something will go wrong.”

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council said it was unlikely any proposals would be considered before the end of the year.

She added: “Following the withdrawal of previous proposals for affordable housing on the site, further options for the former Haddington Nursery School Annexe are currently being considered and any new proposals recommended will be brought forward during 2022.”