STREETS surrounding a proposed primary school, serving a major new housing development planned for the edge of Haddington, are set to be shut off to car-driving parents.

The school, at the heart of the proposed Letham Mains development, to the west of Haddington, is currently being considered by East Lothian Council.

However, the lack of a designated car-friendly area for parents to pick up and drop off their children has raised concerns.

Paul Darling, of Haddington’s community council, said at a recent meeting of the group: “There does not seem to be any parental drop-off access, which to me is going to cause grief to everybody.” Mr Darling acknowledged that there were no-drive zones surrounding other schools in the town but questioned how that could be implemented at Letham Mains.

“How are we going to do that in the middle of a housing scheme?” he asked.

“That’s not going to work. A lot of kids still get driven to school – it’s the nature of the person at the minute, they would rather drive than walk.” The community councillor highlighted that a number of drivers would live in the area and therefore would likely have residents’ passes to allow them to move freely during any restricted hours.

Currently, plans are being considered for 810 properties – made up of 643 houses and 167 flats – on the site, with the school at the centre of the scheme.

It is envisaged that temporary school accommodation would be provided in the former Haddington Infant School.

The new school would be home to 14 classrooms, as well as fruit trees, themed gardens and areas for pupils to grow flowers and vegetables.

Meanwhile, vehicles would access the school from West Road.

The design statement for the proposed new school confirms the absence of a drop-off area for pupils.

It says: “Vehicle access within the boundary of the school campus will be one way, entering from the north and exiting to the north-east and restricted to staff, service vehicles and disabled visitors.

“A total of 31 car parking spaces, including disabled spaces, are proposed for staff and visitors within the school campus, with scope for an additional five parking spaces in the future if required.

“These spaces will be available for community use outwith school hours.

“A designated one-way service lane will be provided to avoid congestion and ensure service vehicles are not required to reverse within the school grounds.

“A barrier (hydraulic bollards) with card reader and intercom/remote release will be installed to prevent unauthorised vehicular access to the car park and school campus.

“There is no designated pupil drop-off to the front of the school or within the school campus, to encourage pedestrian and cycle access via gates on the campus boundary with easy approach from any direction within the proposed Letham Mains masterplan.” A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council highlighted the success of similar schemes outside other primary schools in the town.

In January, measures were put in place which prevent vehicles from travelling on Haddington’s Neilson Park Road, Victoria Road and Wemyss Place.

The 18-month trial was created following public consultation and has emerged from proposals put forward by King’s Meadow Primary School and the Haddington Infant and St Mary’s Primary joint campus.

Similarly, at the start of the new school term, restrictions were placed on the times vehicles were allowed on Dunbar’s Countess Crescent, beside the John Muir Campus of the town’s primary school.

That sees all vehicles, other than Blue Badge and permit holders, as well as emergency vehicles, prohibited from driving on Countess Crescent between 8.30am and 9.30am Monday-Friday.

Vehicles are also banned from 2.45pm to 3.45pm Monday-Thursday and 11.45am-12.45pm on Fridays, all during school term time.

The council spokeswoman said “consideration” would be given to a similar scheme at Letham Mains.