A COUNCILLOR has called for East Lothian Council to ensure that the proposed new town at Blindwells is “done right”.
Plans for 1,600 homes for the site, between the A1 and A198, were submitted to the local authority more than a year ago and are being considered by planners.
The scheme would see not only houses created but also “no less than” 10 hectares of employment land, a mixed use local centre, education and community facilities.
The site, to the east of Meadowmill, is listed as a proposed housing site in the East Lothian Local Development Plan (LDP).
A larger site, to the east of that, is listed as “a safeguard”, with landowners Hargreaves already investigating the option of a further 1,600 homes.
Councillor David Berry told Tuesday's council meeting to discuss the LDP: “From the outset, I have supported Blindwells as one way of relieving the pressure but Blindwells has to be done right.”
He questioned if a railway station could be included in the site and highlighted that the East Coast Main Line was already struggling with more and more people using the train to travel into Edinburgh.
Currently, the nearest railway stations are at Prestonpans, to the west, and Longniddry, to the east, of the proposed settlement.
Mr Berry added: “The real problem is the capacity of the East Coast Main Line.
“We should pressure Network Rail and Abellio to get a better service.”
Councillor Norman Hampshire, council spokesman for housing and the environment, acknowledged there were issues with developing Blindwells. He noted it was a long process and that millions of pounds would likely need to be spent on infrastructure.
According to the proposals in front of councillors: “There is potential for a significant expansion of Blindwells new settlement beyond the eastern boundary of the allocated site onto other previously developed land, and beyond this onto greenfield land.”
The report goes on to highlight that further growth of Blindwells could help “minimise” any need to direct any further development to the county’s existing towns and villages, “some of which are nearing the limit of expansion beyond which significant changes to their landscape setting, character and infrastructure would be required”.
It adds: “These are important reasons for selecting the Blindwells site for development and for considering its potential for expansion.”