Haddington: Bid for flats and shops at town centre car park site

Nine flats and two shops, boasting a Market Street frontage, could be built on the site of 10 Brown Street and the surrounding area.

Part of the land, immediately to the west of Haddington Dry Cleaning & Laundry Service, is currently used as a car park.

While an eyesore building on the site, previously home to TV aerial firm Digitech, would be transformed under the East Lothian Council proposals.

Documents included with the application outline the “justification for the demolition of 10/11 Brown Street, and explore the most suitable option for site redevelopment with regards to Haddington town centre’s historical significance”.

Collective Architecture has worked alongside the council to study the site and draw up proposals for its future. The company noted that the condition of the existing building had “been the subject of complaints from the public, including concerns over the deterioration of the existing stonework”.

An access route – Burleigh’s Wa’s – has also been blocked off in recent years but could be re-opened if the development is approved.

Drawings included with the application show a one-bedroom flat on the ground floor alongside the two retail premises, which would face onto Market Street.

Storage space for bins and bicycles would also be included on the ground floor.

Both the first and second floors would feature two one-bedroom flats, as well as two two-bedroom properties.

The document reads: “The site’s location within a designated conservation area, while imposing certain restrictions, presents the opportunity to design in an area with a strong sense of character and style, which will guide and shape the proposals in terms of materiality, massing and form.

“The developable site should include the existing vacant building which can be demolished in principle, as well as the vacant plot at 12/13 Brown Street.

The eyesore former Digitech building would be transformed

“The old pedestrian pend known as Burleigh’s Wa’s, which previously connected Brown Street to Hardgate, should also be reinstated to allow east-west access to the rear of the site. The site offers the opportunity for a prominent retail frontage on the northwest corner in particular, activating the ground floor and aligning with the existing Market Street condition of ground-floor retail usage.”

Development of the site has been mooted for nearly 15 years, with reference made to a planning application in 2009.

The latest plan pays particular attention to the corner of the building. It notes there is “a precedent for decorative corner details” within close proximity to the site.

The design and access statement notes: “Our proposal is to create a contemporary interpretation of the corner detail. The chamfered corner is set back creating more pavement space and an integrated bench for passers by and retail users.”