MORE than a dozen parking spaces could be created to help serve businesses in an expanding village.

Hundreds of homes are being built to the south of the East Coast Main Line in Longniddry.

At the same time, space has been set aside for a number of small businesses to find a home.

Now, Lord Wemyss Trust is looking to transform an area of ground off Main Street, opposite the junction with John Knox Road, into a car park.

Documents with East Lothian Council suggest that 14 spaces, including an accessible space, would be created in the former market garden.

Two of the spaces would be “designated for the sole use” of the neighbouring Jamieson Campbell Kerr Ltd, chartered accountants firm.

A design and access statement included with the planning application describes the current parking opportunities on Main Street as “very limited and unsatisfactory”.

It reads: “The proposed car park is for public use, with ownership, management and maintenance by Wemyss and March Estates.

“The impetus behind the proposal is to support and improve access to the new shops and businesses within Longniddry Steading.

“The additional opportunity for Main Street parking is also expected to be a wider amenity, benefiting visitors and nearby businesses by supporting passing trade.

“The new parking spaces will provide a convenient alternative to an otherwise approximately 1.4-mile round-trip drive to the Steading from Main Street via the signalised junction at Lorne Bridge, the Coal Road and Limekilns Road; offering instead a two-minute (150m) walk to the Steading along the fully accessible pedestrian and cycleway under the Argyll Bridge.”