At the Windygoul site in Tranent, Springfield is building 60 new homes for the council. These include three wheelchair accessible bungalows and 14 amenity ground floor flats for older people. To date, 38 properties have been completed, including ten amenity flats.

Springfield Partnerships managing director, Tom Leggeat, said: “We’re pleased to work with East Lothian Council to bring a significant development of 60 much needed affordable homes to the area. The homes we are building in Tranent are very energy efficient, include the provision for electric car charging and meet a range of varying needs, including homes for wheelchair users and with extra amenity for older people. We’re delighted with the progress made with 38 of the homes completed and handed over in time for Christmas.”

Stewart Milne has completed the affordable housing part of the development at East Linton, providing 28 new council homes with a mix of one, two and three bed cottage flats and houses – four units being available for older people, along with two wheelchair accessible bungalows.

At the Letham Mains site in Haddington, Taylor Wimpey has completed 37 new homes including two amenity homes for older people and three homes suitable for wheelchair users. In addition to these, Taylor Wimpey has commenced on a further site at Letham that will provide 35 new homes including four flats for older people. Completion is scheduled for spring/summer next year.

Persimmon Homes is building 45 new homes for the council at Craighall North (also known as Burgh Gate). To date, 30 homes have been handed over, including eight ground floor flats for older people along with two wheelchair accessible bungalows. A further two amenity units are part of the remaining homes to be delivered, which are expected to be completed by February.

Works are progressing at a couple of further sites:

• Ravensheugh, Musselburgh, where Hadden is building 12 new homes for the council including four amenity properties for older people, expected to complete early in January.
• Lempockwells, Pencaitland, where Cruden Homes is building 30 homes including four amenity flats for older people. Completions are scheduled for early in the new year.

In addition, the council has also bought 16 houses and flats across East Lothian off the open market since April 2023, which will be provided as new council homes.

Cabinet spokesperson for Housing and Property Maintenance, Councillor Andy Forrest, said: “It’s a great achievement for the council and its partners to have brought these much-needed new homes into council ownership this year, despite the continuing difficulties in the construction sector worldwide with supply issues and rising costs.

“As well as new council homes for social rent, we are also continuing to work with housing associations and other partners to provide other social rented properties and affordable options such as mid-market rental properties and shared ownership options. The council website has information on all these opportunities and is updated regularly or people can speak to their local housing office for advice at any time.”