A new development of 35 council homes has been officially opened in Macmerry - more than 30 years after the last council properties were built in the village.

Cabinet member for Housing Councillor Stuart Currie joined tenant and community representatives, council staff and contractors to mark the completion of the £3.8m development.

35 new homes have been built on the 1.7 hectare site, transforming it from a narrow strip of grassy wasteland into a high quality development that sits sympathetically beside existing residential development. The properties range in size from one-bedroom flats to three-bedroom houses, including two wheelchair bungalows. Each of the properties received a £25,000 subsidy from the Scottish Government's Incentivising Council New Build funding.

East Lothian Council has a stock of around 1780 properties in Tranent and the surrounding villages, having lost approximately 1700 homes since the introduction of Right to Buy in 1980. Over 1600 people are on the housing list hoping for a home in the area. Changes brought in by the Scottish Government in its Housing Bill mean that the new homes will be exempt from Right to Buy, safeguarding the properties for future generations.

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Cabinet member for Housing Councillor Stuart Currie said: "Good housing is the foundation for a stable future, providing people with a sense of security, independence and of belonging to a community. The tenants who have moved into this development are already enjoying these benefits in a home that meets their needs and lifestyle. The shortage of council properties in East Lothian caused by Right to Buy has had a profound effect on our communities and it's great to be able to reverse this trend by adding new homes to our council stock."

Macmerry-based building firm Hart Builders (Edinburgh) Ltd was awarded the contract in February 2009 following a competitive tender process. Work started at the development in May 2009, completing in July 2010. Local housing officers have been busy allocating the properties and helping the tenants to settle into their new surroundings.

David Small, Hart Builders Managing Director, said: "Hart Builders is pleased to have been involved in the successful delivery of the Greenmill Brae Development. As a local contractor we are acutely aware of the need to provide affordable housing and by working in tandem with East Lothian Council and their project team the Greenmill Brae project delivers 35 good quality modern affordable homes in an area of need.

"We would take this opportunity to congratulate the council on their vision to sympathetically develop this site which demonstrates their commitment to tackling the desperate need to deliver more affordable homes in East Lothian."

The development was subject to extensive consultation with Macmerry and Gladsmuir Community Council and neighbouring residents.

Maureen Cuthill, Chairman of Macmerry and Gladsmuir Community Council, highlighted the local community's involvement in every step of the development's progress, saying: "We were very pleased that the council consulted with us and with the people of Macmerry from the very first stage and every step of the way. A lot of thought and effort went into planning the homes and I think the finished result is beautiful."

(GK)