A NEW housing development on the outskirts of Elphinstone could more than double in size under new plans.

Ninety homes – 86 houses and four flats – at Castlehill were given the go-ahead by East Lothian Council in May.

Now, as the first homes are due for completion, fresh plans have been lodged for another 111 homes.

The development, named phase two, would consist of 103 houses and eight flats.

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The overall development is to the west of the existing village; the newly proposed homes would be built north of phase one and west of the existing Waterloo Place.

The Bellway Homes Ltd (Scotland East) proposals show a mix of two-bedroom (16), three-bedroom (55) and four-bedroom (40) properties.

The housing, which would also contain 28 affordable homes, would be broken down into detached (47), semi-detached (14), terraced (42) and cottage flats (eight).

Two public consultation events were held earlier this summer.

Margo Macdonald, who represents the village on Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, said that there were plenty of concerns in the village, including fears that Elphinstone did not have the infrastructure to cope with an influx of new residents.

The developer has also been in contact with the ward’s four councillors, including Colin McGinn and Kenny McLeod, who are both part of the council’s planning committee, which could decide the fate of the proposals.

The applicant’s planning statement highlights a number of “key points in support” of the application, including the use of the land being allocated for housing and a claim that it would “reduce pressure for development on land not allocated for such purposes”.

It reads: “The additional housing units proposed will provide further support to the primary school roll and result, through the payment of developer contributions, in the provision of an enlarged and significantly enhanced educational facility.

“Approving the second phase of development now will ensure that the school can be extended as part of a single contract rather than a series of contracts, thereby minimising disturbance to the existing school population.

“Improvements to transportation infrastructure will be provided in Elphinstone (traffic calming and footpath widening) and on the wider road network (e.g. Old Craighall, Salters Road interchange, Bankton interchange, Tranent town centre).”