LAND previously set aside for the expansion of a village’s primary school could instead welcome more than a dozen new homes.

Planning permission was given for 150 new homes at Saltcoats, to the south of Gullane, at the beginning of 2018.

The development, including 38 affordable homes, is due to be complete by the end of next year.

Now, CALA Management Ltd has applied for 16 new homes and recreational land at the western end of the site.

READ MORE: Gullane: Work begins on £7.7 million affordable housing development

The land was initially reserved as primary school expansion land but, according to a planning supporting statement, it has been clarified “that this is no longer required”.

Tony Thomas, of APT Planning and Development, said that four affordable bungalows would be included in the development, which created “a unique opportunity to enhance and increase the level of recreation provision in the village”.

The homes would be a mix of house types ranging from two-bedroom bungalows to five-bedroom detached homes “continuing to deliver much-needed new homes of a variety of styles and sizes to the Gullane and East Lothian market”.

The supporting statement reads: “This residential element is proposed in tandem with the creation of new formal recreational space to the north of the proposed new homes, immediately to the south of the primary school and to the south-east of the hugely popular and successful Memorial Park.

“It is a unique opportunity where the community will benefit from this formal space whilst it will be provided at no cost yet the village community can determine what the space will be used for.

“In the face of the ongoing housing crisis, it is important that local authorities support the efficient use of development land.

“This proposal will see the delivery of 16 attractive new homes, at a popular location and including four affordable bungalows, meeting the needs of those requiring single-level accessible homes.”

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Discussions have already taken place between Gullane Area Community Council and the housebuilder.

Malcolm Duck, chairman of the community group, said that there had been concerns about sewage infrastructure in the area.