This key brownfield site, located in the centre of Wallyford, was formerly home to the local primary school and was identified by East Lothian Council as a priority site for affordable housing. The project aims to deliver much‑needed homes in response to the affordable housing crisis declared by the Council in November 2024.
The approved proposals will deliver 60 new homes, all for social rent, which will be retained and managed by the Council. The development provides a mix of one to four bedroom flats and houses, carefully designed to respond directly to identified local housing need.
Following demolition of the former school and its relocation to a modern facility, the site had become fenced off and presented a barrier to local pedestrian movement. A key challenge was therefore to stitch the new development into the existing residential fabric, reconnecting surrounding streets and footpaths to improve permeability, accessibility, and community integration for both new and existing residents.
The project also had to respond sensitively to significant level changes across the 3 acre site.
The proposals create a new residential street that gently winds into the heart of the development, culminating in a central pocket park that forms a focal point for the community. The layout is carefully designed to knit into the surrounding network of footpaths associated with the former school site. Connections to the High Street, the existing public park, and the nearby community church are strengthened, improving movement and legibility throughout the area.
Early pre‑application engagement with the Planning team supported constructive design development, with a focus on retaining and enhancing green space, increasing planting and tree coverage, greening streets, and ensuring all homes enjoy a pleasant outlook. Sustainable urban drainage requirements are fully met on site.
All landscape design has been carefully considered and developed in collaboration with SLR Landscape.
Homes are arranged to enjoy views of green space, with well‑proportioned windows providing high levels of daylight and outlook. Passive surveillance has been a key consideration throughout, supported by input from the Police Architectural Liaison Officer to enhance neighbourhood safety.
Accessibility is integral to the development and includes:
The scheme prioritises walking and cycling for both residents and the wider community. Car parking is provided on a 1:1 basis, with all spaces EV ready. New pedestrian footpath connections integrate the site with the surrounding neighbourhood, improving permeability and encouraging active travel.
As part of the planning process, two successful community engagement events were held at the Wallyford Learning Campus prior to submission of the planning application.
Working closely with Council landscape and ecology officers, the proposals extend and connect new landscape measures with existing surrounding green infrastructure. This approach enhances biodiversity and creates improved habitats for wildlife. The landscape strategy includes new tree planting, wildflower meadows, and varied planting, strengthening habitats for mammals and pollinators while creating high‑quality outdoor spaces for residents.
The layout has been developed in accordance with the six qualities of successful places set out in NPF4 Policy 14: Healthy, Pleasant, Connected, Distinctive, Sustainable, and Adaptable.
All homes will be constructed to high‑performance standards, with significant use of modern off‑site manufactured closed‑panel systems. This approach improves thermal efficiency, reduces on‑site waste, shortens construction times, and supports earlier delivery.
The development will be net zero, incorporating photovoltaic panels, air‑source heat pumps, and exhaust‑air technologies, with no reliance on mains gas.
East Lothian Council is a founding partner of the South East Regional Delivery Alliance (SE‑RDA), which brings together local authorities, Registered Social Landlords, and industry partners to collaboratively deliver new affordable housing.
Smith Scott Mullan and CCG (Scotland) Ltd have been involved from an early stage and are working together on several projects as part of this programme.
Further information is available at:
www.se-rda.org.uk
