A THREE-PAGE letter opposing controversial housing plans between Dunbar and West Barns has been submitted to East Lothian Council by Dunbar’s community leaders.

Detailed proposals for 90 homes at Beveridge Row, off Edinburgh Road, were received by East Lothian Council at the end of July.

CALA Management is looking to build 78 houses and 12 flats on the site, following a public exhibition earlier this year.

Dunbar Community Council has regularly voiced its opposition to the scheme, which was given planning permission in principle by a Scottish Government-appointed reporter more than two years ago but still requires detailed planning consent from East Lothian Council.

Jacquie Bell, vice-chairwoman and secretary of the community council, has now submitted a letter to the local authority outlining seven areas for objection to the more detailed plans.

Among those was concern about flooding on the site.

The letter states: “A number of the proposed houses are sited on the areas of the site most prone to flooding.

“The reporter did note that as a result of a flood risk assessment, it may be necessary to reduce the number of properties built on the site.”

Another concern is the lack of a transport assessment or travel plan, which are not included with the planning application.

Parking in the planning application is included for 180 cars, with access coming from Edinburgh Road.

Site lines from the proposed access point are described by the community council as “poor in both directions”, while there are also concerns about a potential increase in vehicles using Beveridge Row and Hospital Road to access facilities south of the town, such as Asda.

The letter adds: “This route becomes very narrow and has no safe passing places.

“The reporter did state in his report that it was narrow, bendy and in a poor state of repair, and that it would be unlikely to be an attractive alternative route to most facilities.”

Having only one play area in the scheme, the zoning of affordable housing, and concerns about the impact on general infrastructure, such as dentists and GPs, are also highlighted in the letter.

Craig Lynes, land director at CALA Homes, said: “Development of this site was approved by the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division. The applicant at this time presented a case concluding the pooling of water in the low and isolated location after heavy rainfall is due to a localised area of impermeable ground.

“With this in mind, CALA Homes instructed further extensive investigation work which has confirmed this is due to the presence of peat located in the low-lying northern part of the site.

“It is proposed the problem earth will be removed, ground levels will be subtly lifted, and enhanced positive drainage and Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) will be put in place as part of the proposed development.

“The details of the drainage and SUDS would be approved and agreed with both SEPA and Scottish Water following full and proper consultation, and, given the level of enquiries in this regard, an independent flood risk statement has been requested which will support the application.”