FLY-TIPPING and anti-social behaviour are forcing people to consider moving from Haddington town centre.

Concerns about the state of Brown Street have regularly been passed on to East Lothian Council.

Now, a survey has been created to share the strength of feeling about the issue.

Stuart Pe-Win, chairman of Haddington Central Tenants and Residents Association (HCTRA), felt the area, sandwiched between High Street and neighbouring Market Street, was not helping the town’s historic image.

He said: “The big problem, if you drive into the town, you go right past the place, you literally stop at the lights and look to your right and most often there are big bags of rubbish, green bins and people chucking stuff, and just a decaying building.”

Last year, Councillor Shamin Akhtar, who represents Haddington on East Lothian Council, was joined by representatives of Haddington’s community council and Haddington Business Community Partnership (HBCP) to see the issues for themselves.

East Lothian Council previously created a five-year strategy to “increase the vibrancy and vitality of the town centre”.

However, Mr Pe-Win, who lives on nearby Cross Lane, felt progress was not fast enough and noted some residents had moved from their home, having grown frustrated with the state of the area.

He noted that fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour were still problems.

He said: “I’ve known a couple of people who have moved away because of the anti-social behaviour.”

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council confirmed plans were being drawn up to look at sites on Brown Street.

She said: “The council’s housing department is currently exploring a further two development opportunities at Brown Street.

“Work is currently under way to explore options to improve this area and the community will be consulted on proposals prior to any application being submitted.”

Copies of the questionnaire can be found in Haddington’s John Gray Centre or by going to surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2C6LX5H