Published: Thursday, 17th June, 2010 9:05am

Floods of concerns?

THE risk of flooding has emerged as one of the biggest fears regarding the proposed new settlement at Blindwells.

County residents and community watchdog groups have expressed worries over drainage issues at the former opencast mine - on land north-east of Tranent and south of Cockenzie and Port Seton - which is initially earmarked for 1,600 homes.

Following East Lothian Council consultation with a number of groups including national authorities, community councils and nearby residents, claims have been made that Blindwells' initial development framework fails to recognise the potential problems with flooding both on the site and at the Seton Burn.

In a report presented to East Lothian Council's cabinet last Tuesday, resident Mr A Grieg, whose house is near the Seton Burn, claimed that there "appears to be nothing in the consultation papers showing an awareness of the potential flood risks from the mine works" at Blindwells.

Ms K Morris, who also lives nearby, claimed the draft development framework and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) took "inadequate account of existing drainage problems at the site".

Councillor Donald Grant commented at the meeting that flooding had been a long-standing issue at Blindwells.

While Councillor Stuart Currie noted that flooding at the Seton Burn "is an issue of concern for the community in the area".

He called for a meeting with community representatives to discuss the issue.

But Councillor Peter MacKenzie said: "Going back to the late 1970s, and early '80s at (nearby) Seton View, I remember people were saying, 'Don't build a house there, it will always be flooding'.

"However, that has not been a severe problem. The quality of drainage that's been installed works very well, and the water table across the country is lower than it ever has been."

Concerns have also been raised over transportation.

It has emerged that Transport Scotland will not support direct access to Blindwells from the A1. In the council's development framework, it is stated that two points of access will be used - one off the A198 to the west, and one from a reconfigured Bankton interchange from the south-west.

Transport Scotland has also said it "will not support the [planned] development of a rail halt". The use of a shuttle bus between the site and Prestonpans railway station is noted as an alternative.

Councillor Barry Turner said that he was "a little disturbed" to see the lack of support for a rail halt, though such a scheme has not been ruled out completely.

Meanwhile, Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council, in its submission, stated that it agreed " in principle" to a new settlement, but claimed Blindwells was too close to existing towns and expressed concern that the new town would put further strain on already-stretched local services.

Councillor Norman Hampshire said at the meeting: "This is probably the most important development that's ever taken place in East Lothian.

"This is a complicated new town, and needs a huge amount of infrastructure.

"If we don't do it right, this could be a disaster. If things are not delivered on time, what will happen?

"The people who move in will have to use the infrastructure of settlements nearby, and that will be a major problem for the people living nearby."

Proposals for the new town include new schools, allotments, a cemetery, GP surgery, town park, shops, tennis court and a community centre. Work on Blindwells - which could eventually see up 4,500 homes built - is expected to get under way in 2013/14. Planning applications must first be submitted, and approved.