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<\/a><\/p>\nPlans to turn a new town centre into a pedestrian zone with flats for older people and fitness facilities are set to be given the go ahead by East Lothian councillors.<\/p>\n
Officers are recommending the long-awaited proposals for Blindwells for approval when they go before committee next week.<\/p>\n
The plans include 65 homes including 54 affordable ones, 12 of which are for later living , a supermarket and 12 food and retail shops.<\/p>\n
There are also plans to build 36 offices, six additional commercial units, four trade, a gym, a nursery and a well-being\u00a0facility.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month developers Hargreaves told a meeting of the council that the delivery of the town centre relied on planning permission being granted and could still be up to two years away.<\/p>\n
Concerns about the lack of shops had led one community council to describe the new town plans as \u2018piecemeal\u2019 with more than 340 homes already occupied in the new town.<\/p>\n
Now detailed plans for the town centre set out how the developers have changed proposals from a retail park style town centre to a high street model.<\/p>\n
It will see shops in the centre facing onto a pedestrianised street with squares at either end and parking provided outside of it.<\/p>\n
In the design statement for the town centre the developers say: \u201cThe layout of the\u00a0proposed high street has been\u00a0designed to deliver retail, commercial
and leisure units in two parallel blocks,\u00a0together with a separate block to the
west which accommodates a small\u00a0supermarket.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis allows the high\u00a0street itself to be pedestrianised and\u00a0avoid necessary car parking becoming\u00a0the focus of the high street.\u201d<\/p>\n
It adds: \u201cThe local centre is intended to form the heart of the new development and provide\u00a0facilities and services to meet the needs of residents in the new Blindwells community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe proposed range of uses and their layout will provide a rich social and community focused\u00a0local centre, achieving the aspiration for a sustainable new settlement that will support the daily needs of residents for social, retail, leisure and employment facilities\u00a0within a short distance of their homes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The plans will go before committee next week for a decision.<\/p>\n
By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter<\/p>\n
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