Consultation begins on new town proposal

COUNCIL chiefs have launched a public consultation to gauge opinion on plans to build a new town featuring 1,600 homes on a former open-cast mine in the Lothians.

East Lothian Council will seek the opinions of residents on the Blindwells development, proposed for a site near Tranent, over the next six weeks after the consultation began on Monday.

East Lothian Council's cabinet met on 12 January to approve the draft development framework for the initial houses, although the development could swell to more than 3,000 homes in the future.

Other features proposed include primary care GP services, new schools, a library, community centre and supermarkets. A rail halt and allotments may also be built.

Councillor Barry Turner, the council's environment leader, said: "Blindwells provides a major opportunity to create a community where people will want to live, work and visit. Our vision is for a high-quality mixed community that is sustainable, connected with excellent transport links, and has a strong sense of identity.

The consultation will close on 8 March.