A new convenience store is set for Prestonpans, as work on a new housing development has come to an end.

Meadow House, on Jim Bush Drive, has opened and welcomed tenants for its 16 properties.

The development was built by Cruden and taken over by Lar Housing Trust, a housing charity that hopes to “transform lives” by providing high-end housing with affordable rent.

The building also contains three commercial units, one of which will be an office for the charity, while another is set to become a convenience store.

Exact details for this are still to be confirmed, while the charity continues to seek a third tenant to take up the last remaining unit.

Lar stressed that it had “faced unprecedented demand” for the site, which is contained within the large new-build development in the south west of the town.

The site remained undeveloped for years, after the surrounding homes were completed, with Lar claiming this was “possibly due to the requirement to build commercial units in addition to residential apartments”.

The opening of the development marks Lar’s seventh in East Lothian, with an eighth, also in Prestonpans, set to be completed in the next few weeks.

Ann Leslie, Lar’s chief executive, said: “There is always an extraordinary level of demand for high-quality, mid-market rental homes in East Lothian.

“It is lovely to have been able to take this site and build such beautiful apart- ments, and I would like to thank Cruden for carrying out such first-class work, with real attention to detail apparent throughout the development.

“I am also delighted that Lar is able to open its first office space in East Lothian, providing a much-needed base for our staff who live in the county, thus enabling us to better serve our tenants in the area as well as operate much more sustainably.”

With the lease agreed for one of the other commercial units, negotiations are under way for the last remaining commercial unit, with confirmed interest having been received.

Subject to building warrant approval, bespoke fit-out of the commercial units will start shortly.

The charity is also welcoming local businesses looking for new premises to get in contact with them about the final unit.