Published: Thursday, 17th April, 2008 08:00
Power switch for vets surgery could be costly
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COUNCIL taxpayers could be left to foot the bill if a proposed £2 million vetinary surgery on Haldane Avenue gets the green light, a community council planning advisor has warned.
Links Vetinary Group has applied to build a new surgery, kennels and rehabilitation centre on an area of scrubland diagonally opposite Cala’s Alderston Muir housing development.
The application, which is expected to be heard next month by East Lothian’s planning committee, has already attracted a number of formal objections.
The development would include parking for 22 vehicles and a ‘cattle crush’, a special cage used to restrain large animals during surgical operations.
Members of Haddington and District Community Council, which has formally objected to the development, heard last week from their planning liaison officer, Bob Oliver, that the development may result in a costly alteration of underground power lines.
Mr Oliver, who expects the application to be referred to the Scottish Government, said: “There are two electrical feeds of approximately 33,000 volts traversing this area – one running east to west and the other north to south.
“It has come to my attention that an employee of East Lothian Council has asked Scottish Power to find out how much it will cost to alter these power lines.
“The cost for this will be substantial, especially the one from north to south as it is the feeder for Roodlands Hospital and services to those buildings will need to be maintained.
“Assuming the application is approved by the council, I ask the elected councillors to ensure that any costs are not met from council funds, but should be paid for by the applicant as it is a private company seeking planning approval and should not be subsidised by the local ratepayers.”
Links Vetinary Group has applied to build a new surgery, kennels and rehabilitation centre on an area of scrubland diagonally opposite Cala’s Alderston Muir housing development.
The application, which is expected to be heard next month by East Lothian’s planning committee, has already attracted a number of formal objections.
The development would include parking for 22 vehicles and a ‘cattle crush’, a special cage used to restrain large animals during surgical operations.
Members of Haddington and District Community Council, which has formally objected to the development, heard last week from their planning liaison officer, Bob Oliver, that the development may result in a costly alteration of underground power lines.
Mr Oliver, who expects the application to be referred to the Scottish Government, said: “There are two electrical feeds of approximately 33,000 volts traversing this area – one running east to west and the other north to south.
“It has come to my attention that an employee of East Lothian Council has asked Scottish Power to find out how much it will cost to alter these power lines.
“The cost for this will be substantial, especially the one from north to south as it is the feeder for Roodlands Hospital and services to those buildings will need to be maintained.
“Assuming the application is approved by the council, I ask the elected councillors to ensure that any costs are not met from council funds, but should be paid for by the applicant as it is a private company seeking planning approval and should not be subsidised by the local ratepayers.”
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