HADAS  Haddington And District Amenity Society

Note of Meeting
Re: Tesco and Wimpey/19 September 2006

Present: Neil Macdonald - Broadway Malyan (BM)
                      James Patterson - Broadway Malyan
                      James Simpson - Simpson & Brown
                      Andrew Robinson - HADAS
                      Bob Heath - HADAS

Neil MacDonald outlined his brief from Tesco/Wimpey. Tesco are reviewing their position in Haddington and are considering a move to the edge of town. Wimpey own the Gateside East site between Gateside Business Park (Mitsubishi) and Knowsley Park. Tesco and Wimpey are considering a swap of sites. Wimpey could then build houses (number unknown) in the centre of town. Tesco may retain a small store in town but would build an enlarged store at Gateside.

Broadway Malyan have been tasked with looking at the feasibility of this in the context of the Council's recent retail survey. BM are conducting their
own survey of retailers in Haddington to determine what their view is and what they want. They are hopeful that they will have an outline scheme available for the Public Local Plan Inquiry (possibly the end of November). They have also consulted with HCC and HHS.HADAS expressed the opinion that this would be difficult in the time. We also expressed a wish to see a programme containing dates by which this could be achieved.

James Simpson explained that Simpson & Brown have been asked to assess the historic fabric of the Tesco site, car parks and north Market Street
building to allow for informed decision. They place great value on the earlier rig pattern and the town wall. They would also like to address the backs of the Market Street buildings. BM stated that the current long stay car park needed to be brought into the scheme with the possibility of Park
and Ride provision from and to Gateside for long term Council parking and shoppers from Haddington. BH & AR stated that there appeared to be merit in the scheme currently being investigated. By retaining a small store in town Tesco would still draw some shoppers into the town centre and the smaller shops. The smaller shops would not be threatened by Tesco expanding their range of goods in the current store.

HADAS expressed some concern over ELC giving up the long stay car park but if this could be achieved the benefits would be great.

The site at Gateside would generally form part of the fabric of the settlement and not be as conspicuous as, say, the Oak Tree or Harperdean sites.

Releasing the current Tesco site for housing would mean an extra say, 60 or so houses which would not result in less at Letham but they should be better integrated.

We expressed concern that Tesco/Wimpey might change their professional team once planning permission was gained and control of the quality of the two developments would then be reduced.