The land outlined for this development was allocated in the adopted 2018 Local Development Plan, and it has been designed to integrate with the wider masterplan of the current Letham Mains development, as well as providing a natural extension to the existing development of new homes that are currently for sale by Taylor Wimpey East Scotland and Mactaggart & Mickel. Work at Letham Holdings is scheduled to begin in 2022.

The housebuilders will deliver 274 homes of which 25% (69) will be affordable, and areas of open space within the development will provide an equipped play area as well as a 7-a-side pitch.

The approved plans also make provision for roads and drainage infrastructure, off-site road improvements which includes improved signage, the creation of bus stops, and the provision of a cycle path along the frontage of the development alongside Pencaitland Road. The planned open space to the south west of the development, combined with the planned upgrades to Pencaitland Road aim to create a new gateway to Haddington from the west.

The planning consent follows a joint programme of community engagement by Taylor Wimpey East Scotland and Mactaggart & Mickel, which allowed the housebuilders the opportunity to share their proposal for the development with members of the public and other stakeholders, as well as the opportunity to listen to their views as the detailed designs for the development emerged.

Speaking on behalf of both developers, Pauline Mills, land & planning director for Taylor Wimpey East Scotland, added: “We are delighted to have secured a detailed planning consent for land at Letham Holdings, which allows us to plan the delivery of the next phase of the Letham Mains masterplan vision.

“In acknowledging concerns from local residents in relation to a planned secondary access at the south west corner of the development, we have accepted a condition to the planning consent to amend our design in order to restrict this access to pedestrian and cycle use only.

“We are happy to work constructively with East Lothian Council to conclude this condition of the planning consent, and we look forward to continuing our commitment and investment in the East Lothian area.”