PLANS for nearly 200 new homes on the outskirts of Tranent could be rejected by councillors next week.

East Lothian Council’s planning committee will meet to discuss proposals to transform land to the south of Windygoul.

The proposals, which also include 14 business units, a shop and bar/restaurant, feature 171 homes and 24 flats.

The committee, which includes ward members Colin McGinn and Kenny McLeod, meets virtually on Tuesday and the planning officials within the council have recommended the scheme be turned down.

Officials have outlined three reasons, including the “loss” of employment land and the “unacceptable loss” of prime agricultural land, for the proposals to be rejected.

Mactaggart & Mickel Homes Ltd is keen to transform the land, which is sandwiched between Elphinstone Road and the core path which connects the existing Windygoul properties to the minor road to the rear of Charles River.

READ MORE: Plans lodged for nearly 200 homes at Windygoul South, Tranent

Proposals were first lodged with East Lothian Council in February 2018 and have been amended several times, with the number of homes dropping from 203 to 195.

All of the residential properties, which would be split into 49 affordable housing units for social rent, 59 mid-market rent properties and 87 houses for private sale, would be two-storey.

The affordable homes for social rent would be split into a mix of one-bedroom flats and two, three and four-bedroom terraced or semi-detached homes.

The private housing for sale and mid-market rent properties would also be a mix of two, three and four-bedroom, with 59 detached, a further 59 terraced houses and 28 semi-detached properties.

The business units, bar/restaurant and shop would all be based at the west of the site, off Elphinstone Road.

READ MORE: Group objects to 750 new homes at Windygoul South

Six letters were sent to the planning department, with only one supporting the development.

At the same time, Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council raised a number of concerns as they objected to the scheme.

The planning officer’s summary of the community council's objection highlighted five issues, including the “pressure” the development could put on existing infrastructure in the town.

The objection noted the cumulative impact of developments in the town and surrounding area, and it putting “too much pressure” on roads including Ormiston Road and Elphinstone Road, as well as the junction with Bridge Street.

An expected increase in traffic on High Street and nearby Church Street were also highlighted.

The report adds: “There is already pressure on Tranent Medical Practice to meet current demand and following discussion with the surgery the community council are told that no improvement to the facility is being considered to accommodate this or other proposed developments.

“The current cemetery is already struggling to meet demand and it is no longer possible to purchase plots there.

“The site at Kingslaw is a much more viable site for development owing to its proximity to the A1 trunk road allowing for access roads to be more readily constructed to facilitate the development.”

If approved, funding will go to improving a number of junctions and Tranent and Musselburgh town centres, as well as both Windygoul Primary School and Ross High School.