Blindwells Development Plans for new homes Revised proposals

Introduction

Thank you for taking the time to visit our website and view the latest plans for Blindwells. The information set out in this document outlines our plans to deliver a new settlement at Blindwells, . Please review the rest of this information to find out more about the proposals and ways to contact us. Plans for new community settlement We are carrying out pre-application consultation related to forthcoming planning applications for delivery of parts for our flagship residential site in East Lothian. We are taking this opportunity to give you early information about the elements of the approved masterplan which will be delivered through these applications and explain how you can provide feedback. The original planning application for this development was approved in 2018, and we are consulting with you to gather feedback for proposed amendments to this new settlement. The proposals will create a new settlement close to , Cockenzie and Port Seton on land that has been zoned for a new settlement since 2010. The What is the purpose of this site, known as Blindwells, aims to support the growth and meet housing need digital webinar? and demand in this area. The sustainable location will integrate land uses and sustainable modes of transport to reduce the need to travel and cut In light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation new methods have been carbon emissions. introduced to help you provide feedback on our proposals. We will be using a number of online engagement tools in addition to a It is important to note that the applications do not seek to add to the approved consultation phone line and information leaflet distribution as part development and are required to bring forward further detail on how and of our pre-application consultation engagement. where within the site specific parts of the masterplan are delivered. Blindwells Development Plans for new homes Revised proposals

Community engagement during COVID-19

To provide opportunities to engage we are proposing a number of ways the community can find out more about How to find out more the proposals and how Hargreaves Land plans to deliver a sustainable and cohesive development. Visit: www.blindwellsconsultation.co.uk

Our consultation website provides further information on our proposal. You can browse our plans, download information documents and respond to the project team.

@ Email: [email protected] Website: www.blindwellsconsultation.co.uk

Consultation Phone-line: 0808 1688 296

Write to us: Turley, 26 Dublin Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6NN

If you are unable to join the digital drop-in events and would like to receive information on the plans posted to your home, please contact the team using the project email address or telephone number.

Rathcoole Gardens Blindwells Development Plans for new homes Revised proposals

Join our digital public information event

We will be hosting a public information event online using Just like a face-to-face event, we will be presenting our proposals Zoom – a video call tool - on the following dates: and members of the project team will be available to listen to your comments and answer your questions. • Wednesday 9th December – 6pm-7pm we will also be available using ‘live chat’ function on Insert step by step graphic: our website (www.blindwellsconsultation.co.uk) on Wednesday 9th December – 3pm-6pm, 7pm-8pm 11. Register for our digital drop-in session by visiting www.blindwellsconsultation.co.uk Feedback 22. Join us for your booked slot by using Zoom on your We want to hear from you and welcome computer or by downloading the Zoom app. your views on the proposal. 33. Hear from our project team on current thoughts in relations to the development plan and get a change to ask your questions via the Q&A session.

44. Provide your feedback using our consultation website. Blindwells Development Plans for new homes Revised proposals

Who are Hargreaves Land?

Hargreaves Land is the property and land division of Hargreaves Services PLC, which delivers key projects and services in the property, energy and infrastructure sectors. Hargreaves Services PLC has traditionally been associated with coal mining and logistics, however the Group’s strategy has evolved to reflect the changing market. With a greater focus on its extensive land portfolio, the Group has formed Hargreaves Land to optimise the development value of its portfolio and deliver new and exciting opportunities in the commercial, residential and renewable energy sectors. With 50+ sites throughout the UK, Hargreaves are able to draw on the skills and resources of the wider Group to unlock value and deliver long-term sustainable development. Hargreaves has a highly knowledgeable and experienced property team with a proven track record of bringing forward brownfield sites for redevelopment.

An artist’s impression of the proposals Blindwells Development Plans for new homes Revised proposals

About the site

Where is the site?

The site is situated to the north east of Tranent and the south A198 of Cockenzie and Port Seton, approximately 17km from Edinburgh City Centre, with excellent connections to the nearby towns of North Berwick, Haddington and Dalkeith. Site analysis B6371 Planning consent was secured for this development in 2018, and the site has been zoned for a new settlement under B1361 the East Lothian Local Plan. Blindwells seeks to develop 1600 residential units with provisions for social housing, education facilities, a healthcare hub, local retail outlets and commercial businesses A198 Artist’s impression Principle of development The application site was promoted as a strategic housing proposal by the now superseded Edinburgh and the Lothians Structure Plan 2015. This commitment to Blindwells as a new settlement has been continued into SESplan. The promotion A1 of the site for a new settlement by regional level planning policy has been reflected in the now superseded ELLP and the adopted East Lothian LDP. As such, the development of the site has had firm support throughout various iterations of development plan policy; the development represents the settled will of East Lothian Council. Site location plan

Site location plan Blindwells Development Plans for new homes Revised proposals

Development Framework for Blindwells New Settlement (June 2010)

This development framework sets out a vision for the Blindwells development which is ‘to shape a high quality expandable mixed community consistent with the sustainable development principles set out in the national, regional and local planning policy’. The vision statement for Blindwells outlines the following themes:

• Transport – to manage traffic around the • Environmental quality – to procure high settlement to ensure a safe environment can and quality design that ensures the new settlement will be created in it, to minimise the need to travel preserves and enhances key natural and historic and to encourage and provide opportunities for use settings, as well as responds to its wider context of sustainable transport modes in preference and conserves and creates a sense of place for to private cars. the new community including an appropriate landscape framework and open space network • Local amenities – to introduce with the settlement an appropriate scale and range of local facilities • Energy efficiency – to maximise opportunities so residents benefit from the amenities provided, so in the settlement for appropriate energy efficient, that the viability and vitality of the existing town is microgenerating and decentralised renewable not harmed, and so the need to travel is minimised. energy systems together with measures that will reduce waste and resource consumption. • Community identity – to provide in the settlement the physical connections, land use • Implementation and delivery – to ensure conditions as well as the buildings, public spaces the phasing and timing of the development and facilities that can create and will support an delivers essential services and infrastructure on integrated mixed community by encouraging, time at the capacity required to serve the needs facilitating, and providing opportunities for of residents as the settlement grows. interaction and community capacity among Artist’s impression its residents. Blindwells Development Plans for new homes Revised proposals

What is proposed?

Our plan remains to deliver approximately 1600 residential units with a variety of community facilities to create an Overall we still plan to deliver: attractive and sustainable development in keeping with the surrounding area. • Approximately 1600 residential units with a mix of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom terraced, semi- In order to deliver this new community for East Lothian, we detached and detached houses. are preparing planning applications to bring forward further detail on the existing approvals. • A new primary school campus. These planning applications will provide more detail on: • Employment and commercial land with retail, office and health facilities.

• The location of the town centre • Park and ride facility. within the masterplan site • Bus stops and shuttle service linking the site with • Residential development plots rail halt. • Landscaping, open space and • Green network as the main element of open movement infrastructure space with shared cycle and footpaths • 3 community sports pitches and 3 all-weather The proposals set out on these pages is indicative at present. tennis courts. 4000 sqm has also been These will be finalised taking into consideration feedback allocated for community allotments. provided during and following the public consultation event. Artist’s impression Blindwells Development Plans for new homes Revised proposals

Planning Permission in Principle

The forthcoming applications do not seek to add This application will seek consent for : to the existing planning permissions in place, they form part of the delivery of the Blindwells • The location of the new town centre within masterplan and are required in order to provide the masterplan area further detail on the masterplan proposals through the formal planning process. • The indicative approach to providing local services for residents of Blindwells There will be three applications, one formalising the location of the town centre within the masterplan area, one providing detailed information on the delivery of housing on part of The changes brought forward in this application compared the site and one providing detail in relation to public open to the existing approval are broadly limited to the orientation space, the new Princes Loch and road layouts on the site. and location of the town centre within the masterplan area The application proposals displayed on these pages are and the way in which the retail space will be delivered. indicative, as the design process will take into consideration The provision of local services to serve the new community comments made during and following this public remains Hargreaves’ intention, in accordance with consultation event. the existing planning permission in principle for the development of the site.

Artist’s impression

Proposed site overview Blindwells Development Plans for new homes Revised proposals

Full Planning Permission

We are also submitting a detailed planning application for the delivery of circa 65 homes on Local land within the masterplan permission boundary. Centre This application secures early delivery of these homes on the site, alongside those currently under Residential construction by Bellway and Cruden in early phases Parcel 11 of development. The proposals, together with those for the town centre, formalise the layout of the northern part of the site. A further application to bring forward the detailed road layout, landscaping and open space proposals for Phase 2 of the Blindwells site will also be submitted to East Lothian Council.

Masterpan Blindwells Development Plans for new homes Revised proposals

Infrastructure, phasing and access

In terms of the wider development which benefits from planning permission, the 1600 dwellings will be brought forward in a number phases, with access and egress arrangements for the proposed development including 3 Local Centre junctions on the western site boundary with the A198 for access and egress. Residential Phase 1 of the development was approved earlier in 2020 Parcel 11 and work is taking place on site to deliver this part of the masterplan, facilitating delivery of new homes. The northernmost access involves upgrading an existing access, the central access will form a new access opposite the existing junction on the western side of the A198 and the southernmost access will involve the creation of a new junction from the Bankton Interchange at the south east corner of the site. The internal road network has been developed in accordance with national guidance ‘Designing Streets’ local authority guidance on development roads and the development framework. In terms of local services, a new primary school will be delivered on the site and is expected to be open in educational year 2024/2025, together with a healthcare hub as part of the town centre. Opportunities for employers to locate on the site will also be provided.

Masterpan Blindwells Development Plans for new homes Revised proposals

Listening to feedback

This development was approved in 2018. Therefore the development To submit a feedback form, please visit www.blindwellsconsultation.co.uk. is approved in principle, and we are consulting today to get your Alternatively, you can request a feedback form and submit your feedback feedback on the forthcoming applications for the delivery of the via the channels below: development before the applications are submitted. Feedback provided will be taken into consideration in finalising Email: [email protected] development proposals prior to the applications being submitted @ in early spring 2021. Website: www.blindwellsconsultation.co.uk

Consultation Phone-line: 0808 1688 296 Community Consultation and COVID-19 Write to us: Turley, 26 Dublin Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6NN In light of the current situation and COVID-19 social distancing measures, new regulations have been introduced to help you provide feedback on our proposals. In line with new guidance, we will be using online tools as well as remote feedback channels to gather your comments on our plans. Please visit our website for more information and to find out more about our proposals and how to engage with our team.