WORK is under way on a new housing development at Dolphingstone, near Wallyford.

Taylor Wimpey East Scotland has secured detailed planning consent from East Lothian Council for the first 137 two, three, four, and five-bedroom houses and nine two bedroom affordable apartments on the site.

The company said that this signalled a “key milestone” in the delivery of a new neighbourhood of about 700 new homes. A programme of infrastructure and enabling works is already under way, it added.

The masterplan for Dolphingstone will provide 25 per cent affordable homes.

Pauline Mills, technical director at Taylor Wimpey East Scotland, said: “We are so pleased to confirm that our planning consent for the first new homes and apartments for our Dolphingstone development has been granted by East Lothian Council.

“In fact, work has already started to deliver our infrastructure and enabling works at the development, which cements our commitment to the wider East Lothian area.

“This is a significant programme of work that will take several months to complete and, as a responsible homebuilder, we will ensure this is carried out as efficiently as possible to minimise any inconvenience to the local community.

“Over the years, we have seen steady interest in our local developments across East Lothian from homebuyers looking to take advantage of the great location and commutable routes to Edinburgh and the wider area.

“The start of our enabling and infrastructure work will ensure that we can continue to play our role in the delivery of new homes as part of the overall East Lothian Local Development Plan while also providing a range of new homes that will appeal to a range of buyers who want to call this area home.”

The company said it was also contributing to local transport infrastructure improvements while providing new foot and cycle connections to create an active travel corridor to Wallyford and the village’s train station.