BELLWAY Homes Ltd has invested more than £1.3m in new facilities and infrastructure in Elphinstone... but investment in the community is not enough to mend its relationship with the village, according to a community group leader.

The company is currently building Elfenne Gardens, a collection of three and four bedroom energy-efficient homes located within walking distance of Elphinstone Primary School.

Since its opening in the summer last year, Bellway has invested in the community by providing £1.3m towards education, enabling increased capacity in the local school.

In addition, £31,103 has been donated to sporting provision and £18,227 towards transport improvements.

READ MORE: Elphinstone: Bid for three houses turned down near Bellway development

Lynn Pringle, sales director at Bellway (Scotland East), said: “We’ve been working extensively in the community to identify and deliver community benefits that will improve life for residents through a variety of different ways.

“The development is particularly appealing to families and it’s important that the new homes bring a positive impact on schooling, and our investment should go a long way in ensuring this happens.”

But investment in the village alone is not enough, according to the chair of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council.

A controversial advertisement sign on the edge of Bellway’s housing development in the village was twice rejected retrospective planning permission by East Lothian councillors before an appeal to Scottish Ministers allowed the sign to stay.

Some village residents have also raised concerns about flooding as a result of water coming from the development.

READ MORE: Controversial Bellway sign ‘not intrusive’ says site land director

Mike Falconer, community council chair, said: “I think we can agree that there are a lot of things Bellway has done that we are not very pleased with.

“That being said, I will give credit where credit is due and the investment in the community is a good thing.

“I am all for businesses taking a bit of responsibility and investing where they are building.

“But it is not enough to just do this and expect people to forget what has happened. Bellway has shown previously that there is little care for the residents of Elphinstone.”

Councillor Lee-Anne Menzies, ward member for the village, added: “I welcome any positive work Bellway is doing in the community. I understand that not all of it is required by law, so it’s good they are doing this.

“But it’s important to recognise why they are doing it, it’s not to benefit the village, it’s all about corporate social responsibility, which I get, but the situation with the sign proves that they don’t really care.

“I won’t knock them for investing in the village, but I won’t be giving them a standing ovation for it either.”

The company previously came under fire at a recent meeting of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, including from group member Robert McNeill, who said that Bellway’s appeal over the sign was “an absolute kick in the teeth to the people of Elphinstone and to the community council”. He added: “It is clear that they just don’t care. They have treated Elphinstone’s residents and our community council with total contempt.”