SCOTTISH Water is putting together updated plans for a new water treatment plant. 

In September last year, the Courier reported how the water company had made public its intentions to submit plans this year for a "state-of-the-art" water treatment plant, costing £55 million, south east of North Berwick. 

Now that timescale has been delayed, but it is planning to submit an application by early spring at the "very latest".

READ MORE: Plans for major £55m development unveiled by Scottish Water

The plant, which would “help protect and enhance the local coastal waters”, would be located in a field two miles south-east of the town at Rhodes Holdings. 

At the time that the plans were first revealed, Scottish Water said that the new plant would feature “cutting-edge treatment technologies” which would reduce energy usage by half and treat waste water more effectively than traditional methods.

The new works would replace the existing underground works on North Berwick’s Tantallon Terrace, at the eastern end of East Beach, which has come to the end of its serviceable life.

The current site was built into the cliffside under the 18th hole of Glen Golf Course in 1995.

Previously, Scottish Water said that the population of the area it served had grown significantly, leading to a need for more layers of treatment, with an underground pipe likely to be required to connect the new works to the existing plant, which would be converted into a pumping station.

On the news that plans to submit an application had been delayed, the Courier contacted Scottish Water.

A spokesperson said: “Work is ongoing on development and design of our proposed new works and we plan to be in a position to submit a planning application by early spring 2025 at the latest.

"In advance of this, we will do a further round of communications across North Berwick, including drop-in events for the public to view our plans, ahead of formally submitting for planning.

“A project of this type requires significant planning to ensure the full scope of works can be determined ahead of planning being submitted. It is a complex and lengthy process.”

Kenny Miller, chair of North Berwick Community Council, said: "That's a bit disappointing as I would assume they are planning new treatment works because we need them to improve sea water quality.

"It is to be hoped they have found a suitable location but hopefully we will hear more soon."