ACCOMMODATION could be built for a new manager at East Links Family Park.

More than one million people have visited the popular farm family theme park since it opened its doors in 2002.

However, last year, Grant Bell revealed plans to “relocate” the attraction to East Fortune.

East Lothian Council is currently considering a planning application relating to the proposals for a second family park while AP Dale, who owns the land at the current site near West Barns, has stressed East Links Family Park will continue – even if Mr Bell opens another facility.

In the meantime, Mr Dale has submitted plans for two new homes, which would “replace the manager's and staff accommodation building which previously served the adjoining tourism business at East Links”.

READ MORE: Neighbours objecting to East Links Family Park's move to East Fortune

A supporting statement with the application outlines that the originally approved workers accommodation is no longer tied to the tourism business and the former workers accommodation is also currently up for sale.

Now, the intention is to build a three-bedroom manager’s home and a separate four-bedroom staff accommodation home.

Both buildings would be located to the west of the tourist attraction and next to the current manager’s home, which has a total of seven bedrooms.

The supporting statement reads: “The proposed replacement housing can be justified in this specific location on the basis that there will be a continuing direct operational need to provide on-site living accommodation for workers employed at the East Links family visitor centre, and this need will become particularly acute when the current lease for the tourism business expires in August 2026, and a new operator is in place.”

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Mr Bell’s lease is due to expire in two years’ time and Mr Dale is taking steps to try to ensure there is a property in place for any new manager and staff.

The document continues: “There is a continuing need for workers accommodation to support the rural and tourism business activities that are now well established at East Links, and there is an essential need for the park’s manger and workers to live close to the Park, and specifically in this location.

“There is therefore a pressing requirement for replacement workers accommodation in this location to serve the tourism business.

READ MORE: More than 400 objections made to plans for family park at East Fortune

“The replacement housing is needed to ensure a viable business, and should be in place before August 2026 when the current business lease expires as it will be required for the new manager and staff.”

AP Dale bought Hedderwick Hill Farm in 1984 and has embarked on “a number of successful farm diversification enterprises”.

As well as East Links Family Park, the area also supports the Foxlake Adventures outdoor activity centre; the John Muir Alpacas and “the innovative” Ocean Vertical, which specialises in paddle boarding, coasteering, surfing, climbing and mountaineering.