PLANS for more than 100 houses on the site of a former hospital in Haddington could be lodged early this summer.

East Lothian Council held its second round of a public consultation earlier this month, when members of the public were able to see what was planned for the former Herdmanflat Hospital site.

The area of land, which measures more than 14.5 acres, was previously home to the hospital, which closed its doors in 2020.

Services were moved to the nearby East Lothian Community Hospital, which was built on the site of the former Roodlands Hospital.

The council revealed earlier this year that it was exploring the possibility of as many as 140 homes for older people on the site.

At Haddington Primary School and the town’s Trinity Centre, the team behind the development looked to address concerns raised during the first round of consultation.

A council spokeswoman said: “Consistent themes have developed through the discussions and questionnaire feedback that have allowed us to readdress key areas of the masterplan in order to try and accommodate the views of the public.

“A Herdmanflat page is now up and running on the council’s consultation hub, which allows any interested parties to view the revised proposals and to submit their views.

“The consultation will remain open until April 10, which will give members of the public who haven’t been able to attend an event in person a further opportunity to have their say.

“We will continue to develop the masterplan, taking into consideration views expressed to us as much as practicably possible, with a view to submitting an application for planning permission in principle by the end of May.

“Members of the public will be able to comment or object formally to this application once it is submitted.

“We will carry out a further round of consultation in advance of any detailed application being submitted.”

The team behind the development has been unable to provide exact numbers or styles for the buildings.

During the first round of consultation, it was said that the proposed housing would be spread over four areas of the site: the refurbishment of the existing buildings; development on the grass area in the centre of the site, with green space left in the middle; homes in an area surrounded by trees to the south; and work on the buildings at Hopetoun Mews.

The latest consultation noted: “It is a requirement to respect the height, as well as the views from the remaining buildings on site.

“This means that heights are likely to range between two and a maximum of four storeys.

“To put this in context, the existing mature trees on site are the equivalent of 4.5 to five storeys in height.

“Much more detailed work on this will be carried out after the masterplan principles have been accepted.

“We are still at a very early stage and are only looking to agree the principles of development for now.

“Much more thought needs to be put towards the size and type of housing required and this will be dealt with through more detailed planning applications in the future.”

During the first round of consultation, concerns had been raised about vehicular access and the impact on the landscape.

One of the display boards said: “Multiple concerns were raised about Lydgait/Hopetoun Mews being used as a vehicle access point.

“There were no issues raised about the access at Herdmanflatt (lock ups).

“Our proposal there- fore would be to utilise both the Herdmanflatt (lock up) route and the existing Aberlady Road for access and egress.

“The southern half of Hopetoun Mews would be utilised for active travel – pedestrian and cycle access only.”

Another concern raised during the first round of consultation included retaining public access through the site.

Developers have previously said that “approximately 50 per cent to 60 per cent of the site is likely to remain undeveloped and be retained as public open space, with walking and cycling provision”.

The display board reads: “Our proposal would ensure we have a hierarchy of paths through the site to retain good public access.

“Some of these routes will be fully accessible and surfaced.

“Others will be more rural path routes, e.g. through the woods.

“Utilising Hopetoun Mews as an active travel corridor will provide more direct access from A199 and the site to the town centre – this prioritises sustainable travel for pedestrians and cyclists.”