I was amazed to read that so many people felt so strongly about the recent proposed development of flats at Westgate, North Berwick.

It would seem to me that their focus and comments would be better served challenging the lack of affordable housing for first-time buyers and younger people in North Berwick and the surrounding area.

As a local resident I have noted in recent years the amount of properties being sold to various landlords and businesses which would otherwise have been bought by first-time buyers, thus leaving a significant gap in the market and a substantial increase in the next affordable purchase.

As a first-time buyer a few years ago I could not afford to buy in the town. Despite being brought up here and working in the town I could not afford to buy a property here.

I was fortunate enough to move back after four years elsewhere but at a significant cost.

There have been many new developments over the years, and more planned, but these mostly cater to people who have been on the property ladder for many years or who are moving in from wealthier areas.

I’m pretty sure the development on Station Hill isn’t geared towards affordable housing.

A new council estate was recently opened but did very little to ease the amount of people on the council housing list.

And of course there’s the new retirement development at the former Ben Sayers/theSPACE site, because we really need more retirement properties in North Berwick!

We have an active community in North Berwick, with groups and activities to suit most lifestyles, but if we want the town to prosper and to reflect a varied community then we need to start providing affordable accommodation for both rental and ownership to allow our younger generations to stay in the town and for their families to prosper.

I would like to see the community council and East Lothian Council become more proactive when it comes to property development in North Berwick and East Lothian as a whole.

Andy Adams Couper Avenue North Berwick