East Lothian Council has announced that its largest single development of affordable housing in the last 25 years is to be built in Tranent.

A total of 100 new council homes will be developed at Muirpark Wynd, on the east side of the town. The 3.5hectare site was previously divided between two owners - East Lothian Council and private owner Mansell Construction Ltd. A development brief produced by planners for the two areas of land specified that they should be developed together using a jointly agreed masterplan design to ensure a properly integrated layout.

Council officials have since negotiated with Mansell to acquire the full site and construct the new council homes. The contract value cannot yet be announced as subcontractor negotiations are still ongoing.

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Once completed, the development will provide a mix of homes ranging from two-bedroom flats to three-bedroom houses. It will also include two two-bedroom wheelchair accessible homes. The development has been granted planning permission.

East Lothian Council has around 1200 people on its housing list awaiting a property in the Tranent area compared to a stock of approximately 1100 council homes. Only 82 properties were allocated in the town last year, creating significant challenges for the council and the local population.

Cabinet member for Housing, Councillor Stuart Currie, said: "In September 2008, council asked housing officials to approach private developers with a view to uncovering pockets of land lying dormant that would be better served providing much-needed affordable homes for the county. This arrangement has led to an agreement to develop 100 new council homes - our biggest single development."

Work on the contract is due to begin in Autumn 2010 and will take around three years to complete.

(GK)