Plans have been unveiled to build a village and hotel complex on the site of a former opencast mine, which could create 3,000 jobs.

The Scottish Coal Company aims to turn the former Blindwells mine near Tranent in East Lothian into the location for 1,500 homes, a hotel, golf course and an enterprise park.

Professor Ross Harper, chairman of The Scottish Coal Company, said: "We believe that a prestigious development at Blindwells offers exactly the comprehensive solution that the area needs.

"Although we are still at a very early stage, we are confident our plans can and will deliver real benefits."

The proposal for the 250-hectare site is expected to cost �35m.

It includes plans to link into and expand access to public transport in the area.

Market assessment

The Scottish Coal Company and Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian completed a market assessment of the plan in 2001.

Local planning and environmental agencies have been consulted.

The organisations said they would continue discussions with East Lothians Council later this year once a planned public consultation is complete.

Professor Harper added the proposed development would also go some way to reducing congestion problems faced by commuters into Edinburgh.

His company, which operates nine opencast sites throughout Scotland, has an annual production of approximately five million tonnes and an annual turnover of �150m.