Here is the minutes from the Public meeting regarding the proposed Garden Centre. On the face of it , a huge percentage of the final vote was against the proposal , this is not to say the majority of Dunbar's population is against the idea, nor is this the opinion of this web site's editors... but people who attended the meeting voted... Click Read More.

PUBLIC  MEETING HELD IN HALLHILL HEALTHY LIVING CENTRE, DUNBAR

ON THURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2010

TO DISCUSS THE APPLICATION FOR PLANNING CONSENT FOR GARDEN CENTRE AT SPOTT ROAD, DUNBAR.

Stephen Bunyan, Chair of Dunbar Community Council, opened the meeting by thanking those members of the public and local businesses who had come along to the meeting and introduced the members of the Community Council, the 3 local Councillors, (J. Bell, N. Hampshire, P. McLennan) and Mr N. Crabbie, the Applicant.   He expressed his sincere regret that  the invited member of the Local Authority Planning Department had called off “for personal reasons” and no other official had come in his place.

He asked Mr Crabbie to open the meeting.   Mr Crabbie introduced himself as Managing Director of the Garden Centre at Berwick-upon-Tweed, a Limited Company, registered in Scotland, and which has been established for 27 years.   During this time the business has expanded greatly and employed people from both sides of the Border.

He had considered several sites for the expansion of the business into East Lothian and the one at Spott Road proved to be the most available and fitted the criteria.  The Garden Centre would provide long-term, sustainable jobs for the people of Dunbar and beyond and he did not feel it would compete or displace any other local businesses.  It was not his intention to harm any other businesses.   Dunbar was growing rapidly and more local services will be required.

He was aware that the site envisaged was zoned for industrial use but understood that in the light of no industrial application having been made over a number of years, the Local Authority might be prepared to consider an alternative use.   The garden application requires 5 acres of land and this would be totally impracticable within the town centre.    He felt that its situation at Spott Road would provide an attractive gateway into Dunbar.

He then addressed some of the concerns which had been raised in the local press.

(i)                   The range of goods would be predominantly garden or garden related and not presently available on Dunbar High Street.

(ii)                 The size of the building was required for the sale of plants and things linked with them.

(iii)                He anticipated that the centre would add approx. 2.5m to the local economy as well as employing 16 full-time staff and 20 part-time, plus 11 “casual” workers.  In addition, local services such as building maintenance etc. would benefit.

(iv)               The “timing” of the application had been a local agreement with of the landowner requiring it to be submitted by the end of November 2009.

This Garden Centre will be “state of the art” and is a measured response for the public requirement of garden related products in the area.

The Chair asked Mr Robin McEwan to speak on behalf of the Dunbar Trades’ Association.

Mr McEwan asked the meeting to think very seriously about this application which will  not only  be selling plants but will be a huge retail business selling books, pet foods, clothes etc.  This type of development was frowned upon by the Government which is trying to retain town centres.

There was the added problem of increased traffic in Spott Road which was already coping with heavy goods vehicles from businesses.   The movement of more vehicles would be a hazard.

Free parking would also be available at the Centre unlike in the High Street where parking restrictions applied.

More importantly he considered that approx. 24 shops in the High Street could be affected  if this went ahead with the loss of jobs and people’s livelihoods.   Dunbar is not a wealthy town and something of this nature has the potential of turning it into a ghost town.

He again asked the meeting to think long and hard before making up their minds.

Councillor Paul McLennan explained that he and his two colleagues were unable to give an opinion due to the fact that they were all members of the Planning Committee.

However he also explained that several components will be taken into consideration when the planning application is considered.

(i)                   Assessment of the land.  Currently earmarked for industrial use.

(ii)                 Transport assessment.

(iii)                Retail Impact Assessment.

(iv)               Economic Development Unit will be asked for opinion.

(v)                 What type of goods will be sold.

(vi)               How it will affect the town centre.

Councillor Norman Hampshire said that unfortunately he was not a planning official and is unable to answer on behalf of local authority officials.   The planning process is a fixed process and once this is completed then councillors will be able to take a decision.   It was his opinion that Planning Officials were looking at this site as a potential one.

Councillor Jacqui Bell was interested to know what the people of the town want.  She was also concerned about the impact on Spott Road from a vehicular point of view.

Stephen Bunyan spoke about the failure of the  Council to upgrade Spott Road.   In any event pressure must be put on the Local Authority to address this problem.

There was obviously varying opinions throughout the town.   He opened the meeting to the public.

Various questions were then put

What is going to be sold?

82% garden or garden related.    There will also be locally produced meat, fish and vegetables.

Mr Crabbie expected that the latter would be of a low volume.

What statistical evidence?/Lack of supporting statement.

Mr Crabbie had a table of figures - too detailed to speak about at the meeting but available for enquirers.    A lot of research had gone into the decision and was based on the gardening spend around Dunbar.

The Conservative Parliamentary Candidate – Dunbar is a great High Street and has already had the added pressure of ASDA.   He sincerely felt that this development will be “the straw that broke the camel’s back”.    What future is there for Dunbar High Street if it is expected to take another 20% drop in sales?   The Council should be trying to bring in more businesses and working more closely with the shops and businesses already in existence.    Dunbar has a bright future.

The likelihood is that visitors to the Garden Centre will stop on the A1 and not come into Dunbar High Street.

Jacqui said that it was necessary top keep the vibrancy of the High Street.

Norman said that since 1988 Dunbar High Street has been having a tough time.  There had been strong feeling for ASDA and approx. 90% of local people shop there.  New businesses were beginning to appear now.   This application has to be assessed on its own merits.

Number of covers in Café?

 There will be approx. 80 – 120 to enable the Centre to cater for coach parties.

Roy Pugh, Local Historian gave a snapshot of Dunbar “then” and “now”.   There was no doubt that local businesses will be affected.  This will have an effect on families in the town and retailers will disappear.   High Streets are the life blood of communities.

Hilary Cochrane – Disappointed with lack of written information at meeting and that no suitable Council official had attended.  This may be an attractive project but the applicant failed to acknowledge that it will affect other businesses – local ones.

Herbert Coutts, Community Council member – Community Council needs to be involved in the decision process and to assist them public opinion was needed.  Local shops are what makes Dunbar High Street what it is.    This will be more than just a garden centre as other goods will be available.   Meetings like this one do have a certain amount of power and influence.   Spott Road must be taken into consideration.   The Community Council will be putting in its views.

Merryhatton representative – Dispute estimated 0.5million as amount of spend in East Lothian.     Will Berwick Garden Centre stay open?

Local resident – Moved here 40+ years ago from Livingston.   Experienced the huge development of Livingston Shopping Centre.   The town itself deteriorated but is now prospering.   Dunbar needed to look at the longer term.  

Will the recruitment for jobs be local?

It was expected to recruit from the local population with perhaps the exception of the Garden Centre Manager.   No staff will be transferring from the Berwick shop.

What is Community Council’s take on application and why Dunbar?

It is the Community Council’s job to respond to the Planning Authority as much as possible.

It was also the Council’s obligation to listen to public opinion and to increase its awareness of what it all entails.

In this respect it would be useful to take a vote by a show of hands.

Result – 53 against the proposal.      7 for the proposal.    4 undecided.