East Lothian Council has submitted its proposed Local Development Plan (LDP) to the Scottish Government.

The draft LDP will be examined by Ministers over the next three to six months before being approved.

The document sets out a development blueprint for the region over the next 10 years. It has been developed following over three years of research, technical assessment, public and consultee engagement.

During the process, the council received 443 representations, of which 150 of those related to the proposed housing allocations in Gullane.

Other key highlights include:

• The adoption of a Compact Strategy, meaning the majority of development will be in the west of the county and along the main transport routes

• Concerns raised about infrastructure, traffic impact, loss of green belt and loss of identity and separation of settlements


• The future of the Cockenzie Power Station site

• Requirements for affordable housing provision were broadly supported while there were mixed views on policy on wind turbines and wind farms

• Many developers commented on the new measures to protect Countryside Around Towns and there was a view from landowners and developers that the council should go further in relaxing control over development in the countryside, particularly in respect of housing and employment opportunities

Douglas Proudfoot, Head of Service (Development) at the council, said: "After careful consideration of the representations received, officers have confirmed that the plan does not require modification. Officers have prepared their statements of case in response to each of the issues that have been raised through representations received.

"The proposed LDP will now be submitted to Scottish Ministers for examination where all of the representations, along with officers' responses, will be assessed. One or more government Reporters will be appointed, in considering the plan and representations made, the Reporter(s) will consider written evidence or they may decide to hold hearing or inquiry sessions into any of the representations.

"The report of the examination of the LDP, including any changes made to it, will then come back to the Council for adoption."

(LM/MH)