CONCERNS have been raised that plans for two modern homes next to a busy supermarket are “not in keeping” with the area.

The two-storey, four-bedroom properties are planned for a grassy area to the north-east of Haddington’s Tesco store but also close to large, stone-built properties.

The site, between Calder’s Lawn – the road leading to the supermarket’s car park from Newton Port – and nearby Dale House, would be transformed under the proposals, which have been lodged with East Lothian Council.

However, both the town’s community council and some neighbours have expressed concerns about the scheme.

Allan Finlay, who lives beside the site, said: “There is a black gate that leads to Dale House.

“They are proposing to use a portion of the driveway as their entrance into the new site but there is no way you are going to be able to come out of that and see what is coming up Newton Port.

“It is extremely dangerous – you need someone standing on the other side of the road to stop traffic.

“Plus, these buildings are incongruous with the type of building that surrounds them.”

A supporting statement included within the planning application from Mr P Black acknowledged the lack of modern housing in the area.

However, it read: “Whilst there are few examples of modern housing development in the vicinity of this town centre location, the scale and form of the neighbouring Tesco supermarket, along with the aforementioned narrow streets, stone wall boundaries and traditional dwellings, there is a visual mix of buildings and types and the pattern is not uniform throughout the surroundings.”

The developer argued that, given the “scale, form, height, positioning, design and finishes”, the two homes would be an “acceptable” addition to the conservation area.

The proposals were also highlighted by the town’s community council during a virtual meeting earlier this month.

Paul Darling, planning liaison officer, has asked East Lothian Council’s planning department for an extension on the deadline to submit views on the proposals after asking fellow members to scrutinise the plans.

He told members that he felt the houses were “not in keeping with the area” and said: “It is a use of the space but what they have asked for is not going to look right in the area with the old houses round about it.”

Nearly 20 years ago, the site was earmarked for a garden centre, as well as an office sales unit.

However, those proposals were thrown out in 2004, with planners highlighting that the area was “a prominent historic feature that is a significant part of the character and amenity of Haddington Conservation Area”.