Latest plans for town centre at Blindwells to be unveiled next week

Thousands of new homes are planned for Blindwells, between Tranent and Longniddry.

At the heart of the long-awaited development will be a town centre featuring shops and potential for a health centre and a visitor centre relating to the Battle of Prestonpans.

A spokesman for Hargreaves, which is behind the plans, confirmed that changes were being drawn up to what was originally proposed.

The masterplan for the site was created more than five years ago, and the spokesman told the Courier “the world is a different place” now.

Early plans have been submitted to East Lothian Council, with the public getting the chance to see what is on offer on Wednesday.

Iain Slater, development and estates director at Hargreaves Land, told the Courier: “Hargreaves Land is currently in the process of seeking planning consent to progress the development of the Blindwells town centre and outdoor facilities including the public realm and landscaping.

“These aspects of the scheme are integral to its success and long-term viability, so we would like to be in a position to commence works in 2021 in order to start providing a high standard of amenities to residents at the earliest opportunity.”

The latest planning application looks at “planning permission in principle for mixed use town centre development, including retail, commercial, employment, healthcare, leisure, community facilities and residential uses, together with associated public realm, access, landscaping and infrastructure”.

Construction work on hundreds of homes was delayed due to the coronavirus lockdown earlier this year.

Information will go live at hargreaves land.com/project/blindwells on Wednesday, with a live public webinar held via Zoom 6-7pm on December 9. Representatives from the developer will also be on hand for a question and answer session from 3pm to 8pm that day.

Formal planning applications could be with the council’s planning department by February or March next year.