Preparatory works are due to start around 16 September on the Herdmanflat site in Haddington.
Cruden has been appointed main contractor by the council’s development partner Hub South East. The preparatory works will include tree protection measures and the installation of Heras fencing. We are aiming to start main construction work on the site around 29 September. Once these have begun, members of the public will no longer be able to access the site until phase one construction work is complete, for safety reasons.
Planning permission in principle was granted in November 2024 for 145 units of affordable housing for older people on the site. The development includes the construction of new homes and the conversion of existing buildings in later phases. An active travel link to the A199, new pedestrian access points and open spaces including woodland walks, a SUDS drainage system, tree removal and compensatory planting, biodiversity planting and woodland play locations all form part of the first phase of development.
This first phase, which was approved by Planning Committee in May this year, will be in the southern section of the site and will feature four three-storey buildings and one two-storey building, accommodating 51 homes. The units are all designed for an aging population including dementia friendly design, and all 51 homes have been designed to be accessible to wheelchair users if ever required, and to be easily adaptable in the future to suit individual tenant needs. There will be 30 one bedroom and 21 two-bedroom homes. Each of the four blocks will have access to a private courtyard garden space and clothes drying area as well as bin, cycle and mobility scooter facilities.
The new homes will deliver a 64% reduction in carbon emissions, with each flat provided with its own air source heat pump and mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system.
Councillor Andy Forrest, East Lothian Council’s Spokesperson for Housing and Property Maintenance, said: “It is a positive step that work is due to start on this key site. In preparing plans for the redevelopment of the Herdmanflat site, it was identified that there was an urgent need for more affordable housing for older people that not only met their housing needs but had them in the heart of the community and within walking distance of local shops and amenities.
“I am particularly pleased that six of these new homes will benefit the Haddington Common Good Fund for years to come, as part of a bequest by Haddington born solicitor John Richardson.”
The Council purchased the site from NHS Lothian in April 2020, with support from the Scottish Government, when the hospital’s services moved to the new East Lothian Community Hospital.
Ian Bowd, Hub South East’s Projects Director said: “Starting work at Herdmanflat is a key milestone in this development and one which is testament to the successful partnership working between Hub South East and East Lothian Council and the great amount of work that has gone on in the background by all those involved to reach this important stage.
“This project been an excellent example of a place-based approach, extensive community engagement and master-planning to meet the collective ambitions of all parties to reduce inequalities over the longer term and deliver affordable housing that promotes independence and ageing in place. We look forward to making these exciting plans a reality.”
Steven Simpson, Managing Director of Cruden, said: “We are proud to be working in partnership with East Lothian Council and Hub South East once again to deliver much-needed affordable homes in East Lothian. Cruden has a long-standing commitment to building sustainable, inclusive communities and a strong track record of delivering quality homes that address the practical needs of our ageing population. These dementia friendly homes will also benefit from all important outside space for residents. The commencement of phase one marks a significant milestone for the development and Cruden is thrilled to be part of the creation of a fantastic new community at Herdmanflat.”
Phase One is expected to be complete around March 2027.