More than 100 council homes have been completed in East Lothian since spring 2023 with East Lothian Council buying 16 homes off the open market since April, which will be provided as new council homes.

A total of 133 homes have been built as part of East Lothian Council’s affordable housing programme since spring providing much-needed accommodation.

Work at Ravensheugh, Musselburgh, where Hadden is building 12 homes for the council, including four amenity properties for older people, is expected to be completed early this month.

At Lempockwells, Pencaitland, Cruden Homes is building 30 homes including four amenity flats for older people. Completions are scheduled for early in the new year.

At Windygoul, Tranent, Springfield is building 60 new homes for the council. These include three wheelchair accessible bungalows and 14 amenity ground floor flats for older people. To date, 38 properties have been completed, including 10 amenity flats.

Tom Leggeat, Springfield Partnerships managing director, said: “We’re pleased to work with East Lothian Council to bring a significant development of 60 much-needed affordable homes to the area.

“The homes we are building in Tranent are very energy efficient, include the provision for electric car charging, and meet a range of varying needs, including homes for wheelchair users and with extra amenity for older people.

“We’re delighted with the progress made with 38 of the homes completed and handed over in time for Christmas.”

Stewart Milne has completed the affordable housing part of its development at East Linton, providing 28 new council homes with a mix of one, two and three bed cottage flats and houses – four units being available for older people, along with two wheelchair accessible bungalows.

While at Letham Mains, Haddington, Taylor Wimpey has completed 37 new homes including two amenity homes for older people and three homes suitable for wheelchair users. In addition to these, Taylor Wimpey has commenced on a further site at Letham that will provide 35 new homes including four flats for older people.

Persimmon Homes is building 45 new homes for the council at Craighall North (also known as Burgh Gate). To date, 30 homes have been handed over, including eight ground floor flats for older people along with two wheelchair accessible bungalows. A further two amenity units are part of the remaining homes to be delivered, which are expected to be completed by February.

In addition, the council has bought 16 houses and flats across East Lothian from the open market since April last year, which will be provided as new council homes. Six homes have been bought in Musselburgh, four in Prestonpans, two in Dunbar and one in Haddington, Wallyford, Whitecraig and Tranent.

Councillor Andy Forrest. cabinet spokesperson for housing and property maintenance, said: “It’s a great achievement for the council and its partners to have brought these much-needed new homes into council ownership this year, despite the continuing difficulties in the construction sector worldwide with supply issues and rising costs.

“As well as new council homes for social rent, we are also continuing to work with housing associations and other partners to provide other social rented properties and affordable options such as mid market rental properties and shared ownership options.”