A GROUP turning apples and pears into juice and raising money for charity could find a home in East Lothian.

Using its juice to help with fundraising, Portobello Apple has donated £10,000 over 10 years to local, Scottish and international charities with environmental or humanitarian aims.

The model has proven so successful and popular that the company needs to expand into bigger premises with better equipment.

Plans to site three containers near Gilmerton House, near East Fortune, have now been lodged with East Lothian Council.

A statement included with the application notes how discussions have taken place with Sir David Kinloch, owner of Gilmerton House, and trustees of Gilmerton Kitchen Garden.

Under the plans, apple juice from the orchard within the garden would be supplied to Gilmerton House, while Portobello Apple volunteers work in the garden and garden volunteers help Portobello Apple.

The statement highlights that other sites were considered but rejected because they charged commercial rents.

It reads: “For instance, a recent rental in Fisherrow, Musselburgh, for an appropriate 1,000 sq.ft. unit is £12,000/yr.

“For a non-profit-making social company such as Portobello Apple, this not only wipes out all profits but is constitutionally impossible.

“It cannot accept donated fruit in the first place if proceeds cannot be donated to charity.

“Gilmerton House, acknowledging our status, will charge no rent now and discounted rent in the future.”

During seasonal operations from September to November, the unit will be occupied and running up to three days a week, with a maximum of three vehicles parked close by.

The statement adds: “Portobello Apple has multiple aims involving the environment, food waste, carbon emissions and the circular economy.

“While millions of apples and pears go unwanted and rotting in the Lothians and nationally, representing an unacknowledged waste of natural resources, consumers blithely buy sub-standard juice from concentrate and fruit from as far afield as New Zealand.

“It is an environmental travesty and a national embarrassment.

“Portobello Apple’s aim is to reverse that and show that community presses are the future for the planet.

“Bottles are re-used and consumers encouraged to return them.

“Waste is minimised by using permanent labels.”

East Lothian Council’s planning department is expected to make a decision on the plans by early November.