The housebuilder will be lodging initial proposals with the local authority to create an extension to the existing community on a seven acres site at Levenhall, on the eastern edge of the town.

The new development would deliver a mix of high quality family homes along with a number of affordable homes together with amenity open space.

The Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) which describes CALA Homes’ intentions for the site has been shared with Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council as well as neighbouring Prestonpans Community Council, whose boundary runs alongside the proposed development.

Local ward Councillors have also received a copy of the PAN in advance of the formal submission of the detailed application, which is expected to be in Spring 2016.

Derek Lawson, strategic land director with CALA Homes (East), said: “This is just the start of the necessary planning process, but is a project to which we have already devoted a great deal of care, commitment and time, to ensure that it will be an attractive infill development and will meet the needs of the area. I am pleased that the council has accepted our promotion of this site over a number of years.

“This is a real opportunity to make sustainable use of land within the town of Musselburgh, providing a variety of much needed homes in an area of extremely high demand.

“The town has been considered as an area for continued housing development and I am encouraged that the Levenhall site is a key allocation in East Lothian’s draft Local Development Plan.

“With that in mind we are very optimistic that our proposals for high-quality homes within the town boundary will be well received. Likewise we’re hopeful that we can move forward carefully to submitting a full planning application, in line with the Local Development Plan, in due course. It is important to show that housing can be delivered within the short term in order to make up the shortfall of available and effective housing land and provide new homes for people who wish and need them.”

A public consultation event will be held in February and this will allow local people to see draft proposals and to provide their feedback and suggestions for the development. CALA Homes is still finalising the arrangements and will publicise the details as soon as these are known. As part of the public consultation process, the firm will also be seeking engagement with the local Community Councils.

The site at Levenhall is part of the eastern edge of Musselburgh, to the north of the A199 Haddington Road. It is framed to the north by mature woodland, whilst the existing housing at Ravensheugh Crescent and Beggars Bush sets the context to the west of the site. The land to the East is given over to agricultural use.

The development would include houses of all sizes, with a focus on quality family homes. A quarter of the homes would be affordable housing and the development would also include areas of amenity open space and new landscape planting.

@CALAHOMES