On 16 January 2006, the planning consultants RPS together with three of the country’s largest house-builders (AWG Property, Cala Homes and Taylor Woodrow Developments) presented their outline plan to build 750 houses (now to be 1,000) at Letham Mains, on the western outskirts of Haddington. Their masterplan report was presented to representatives of Haddington and District Amenity Society (HADAS) and Haddington Community Council.

Following are the questions and issues raised by HADAS.

Following the presentation, the main questions of the evening concerned roads, traffic and community facilities. Those present expressed their concerns about the impact on the town centre of the apparently inexorable increase in traffic and the pressure on educational and primary healthcare provision of an unprecedented population increase. Jan Wilson (Haddington Community Council Chairman) doubted whether the proposed roads would be adequate and made a comparison with current traffic congestion in Sidegate, to which the new housing at Briery Bank and the Maltings will contribute further. She also expressed concern about adequate healthcare and school provision and the siting of a school in the middle of a housing estate.

HADAS referred to the 2001 Oscar Faber Traffic Survey, commissioned by ELC, which concluded that "Court Street and High Street have reached their environmental capacity". It was strange that under potentially heavier traffic conditions, no problems were foreseen. HADAS’s aim is sustainable development and that "organic growth" differs entirely from "block planning".

HADAS’s view was that the presentation had done little to allay the concerns regarding the impacts of a massive increase in the size of the town. He stated "It seems extraordinary that we are told that the only certainty in the current situation is the 1000 houses – planning seems to take a back seat. The Council has not even carried out its commitment to prepare a development framework.

HADAS will be appearing at the Local Inquiry in October against this proposal.

HADAS will be appearing to support the objection of Peter Stephens, a HADAS member. Peter will be presenting the ‘general background objection’  

This will be supported by:

Bob Heath (HADAS) – ‘Why HADAS cannot present its own case’.

Ian Arnott (HADAS) – ‘An introduction to HADAS and who we are’.

Barry Hutton (on behalf of HADAS) – ‘Transport Expert (engaged Consultant)’.

Norman Lawrie (Haddington Community Council) ‘Community Council View’.

John Richardson (Haddington History Society) – ‘Haddington as an Historical Burgh’.

Terry Levinthal (The Scottish Civic Trust) – ‘The National Perspective’.

Andrew Robinson (on behalf of Mr and Mrs Stephens) Planning Consultant.

It is also hoped to obtain (at cost) a legal representative (Barrister) to cross examine and to sum up.

This represents a considerable amount of work by both HADAS and its supporters and could incur costs amounting to between £5,000 and £8,000. The support of members and any other sympathetic supporters is essential to help us to proceed with this objection. If you feel that you would like to help us please contact:

Neil Fraser.       Westmill House, Distillery Park , Mill Wynd,

Haddington, East Lothian , EH41 4DB               

tel:01620825199

e-mail neil.fraser@safe-mail.net

About HADAS

The aim of HADAS is to promote and encourage public interest, in and the care of, the beauty, history and character of the area of the Royal Burgh of Haddington and surrounding settlements.

HADAS aims to encourage high standards of architecture and town and country planning and to promote or undertake projects.

One of HADAS's major occupations is the monitoring and commenting on planning applications. This commentary can be positive as well as negative where we consider it appropriate.