A FIELD on the outskirts of Tranent could be turned into more than 170 new homes.

Persimmon Homes unveiled plans for a site off Lammermoor Terrace last week, with the developer hoping formal plans could be with East Lothian Council within a matter of months.

The scheme, which would see the agricultural field transformed into a mix of two, three and four-bed homes, was on the radar of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, which met on Tuesday.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mike Falconer, chairman, said: “It has been zoned for housing for quite a while.

“We raised the usual concerns about infrastructure at the time and those concerns are still the same.”

Persimmon has offered to attend a future meeting to discuss the proposals further.

Mr Falconer urged people who would be impacted by the development to get in touch with themselves and East Lothian Council.

The site was one of three large sites in Tranent identified in the council’s Local Development Plan in September 2018. At that time, the local authority said the land was allocated for “circa 120 homes”.

However, Persimmon Homes has gone beyond that figure and is looking to create a residential development of “circa 175 units”.

Twenty-five per cent of the properties, which would include terraced, semi-detached and detached homes, would be classed as affordable.

Access to the new homes would come from two new junctions created on Lammermoor Terrace, while a SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage System) would be created in the east of the site.

Various studies will make up part of any application to the council.

If the scheme is eventually approved, the developer will have to agree a sum for contributions to a range of projects, including extending both Windygoul Primary School and Ross High School.

A sum would also be agreed “towards the enhancement of community sports facilities at Polson Park”.

Money would also go towards covering the impact on a number of junctions, including Bankton Junction onto the A1.

Representatives from Persimmon Homes East Scotland were available to answer any questions about the scheme last Thursday afternoon.

A spokesperson for the company revealed that nearly 50 people attended the online event.

They said: “We hope local residents found it helpful: 49 attended and 88 questions were asked.

“The most frequently raised concerns were general disruption during construction and extra local traffic on Birsley Road and Lammermoor Terrace.

“Anyone who was unable to join the consultation can find out more about the proposed development by going to persimmonhomes.com/lammermoor-terrace and sites.google.com/view/lam mermoor-terrace

“Those wishing to comment can still do so by submitting an email or via post before January 27.

“We will be reviewing all comments and how they can be addressed within the next stage of our planning application to East Lothian Council.”