NEW plans to double the size of a county village have been revealed.

Briar Homes submitted proposals for 26 luxury homes between Gladsmuir and the A1 in August last year.

READ MORE: Housing plans would double village's population

Those proposals were withdrawn after “detailed discussions” with council officials, but the developer has now submitted fresh plans for 27 homes on the site.

A design and access statement for the plans, which would include seven affordable homes, shows access from the A199 at the eastern edge of the village.

Drawings included with the application highlight that the homes would be a mix of four and five-bedroom, one-and-a-half and two-storey properties on the 1.65-hectare site.

The document notes: “This design proposal will provide a sustainable new neighbourhood on a site which is allocated for residential development.

“A range of new homes will cater to the widest section of the market, with a mix of private and affordable tenures.

“This development will encourage active travel through the incorporation of new footpath links which connect directly to existing footpaths and cycle paths along the A199.

“In addition, the retention and enhancement of the existing bus stop at the entrance to the site will provide easy access to regular bus services into the surrounding towns, villages and as far afield as Edinburgh, making this an ideal location for commuters.”

Traffic concerns

When the original plans were revealed last year, local resident Harriet Milbourne, who is a member of Macmerry and Gladsmuir Community Council, said that, “on the whole, the village is against it”.

The village has a population of about 100 people, spread over about 50 to 55 homes.

Mrs Milbourne said of the revised proposals that there were worries over what a large increase to the village’s population could mean.

She said: “We were most concerned about the additional traffic, considering the problems we already have. Also, we were concerned about it being in keeping with the village.”

Doubts were also raised about the pressure that the new homes would put on the settlement and how they would benefit the area.

Documents included with the planning application note that an area of open space would “form the heart of the site, and will create a focal point and amenity space for new residents”.

It reads: “This will also reflect the character of a village green, which is typical of smaller villages and parishes within the surrounding area.

“In addition, the existing tree belt to the east of the site will inform a natural sense of enclosure to the development, with new planting to the northern boundary providing enclosure from the north.”