Pizza chain misses out on slice of the action in Haddington
Pizza delivery chain Domino’s have lost a bid to open their third East Lothian branch after councillors said lessons ‘had to be learned’ from problems at existing sites.
The international takeaway had applied for planning permission to change The Grain cafe, in Haddington, into its latest takeaway.
However a meeting of East Lothian Council’s planning committee heard local residents and businesses objected to the move, with elected members pointing to issues caused by established branches in Musselburgh and Tranent.
Many of the complaints surrounded parking outside the branches and traffic, with claims the proposed new branch in Haddington was at a ‘choke point’ in the High Street.
Councillor Donna Collins said she drove past the two open branches and Haddington High Street on a Friday evening and described traffic as a ‘nightmare, particularly at Tranent’.
Councillor Colin McGinn said there were problems with delivery drivers and customers parking on the pavement at Tranent and causing traffic issues, adding a company as big as Domino’s should learn from issues at branches.
He said: “I believe a multinational global company should be able to look at its footprint and the impact it has on communities.
“They do provide jobs and a service but the impact of that service in Tranent High Street is a lesson we have to learn.”
The application, which was recommended for approval by planning officers, was called in by local councillor George McGuire.
He told the meeting: “The location is wrong, it is not that I do not want Domino’s to come to Haddington but there are other sites available.
“The High Street is a pinch point.”
Councillors pointed to a vacant unit at the town’s newest retail estate Gateside as one alternative option for the pizza firm.
Planning convenor Norman Hampshire backed the change of use application, saying: “If this was a fancy restaurant with a fancy chef would the same people be objecting or is because it is Domino’s Pizza?”
But councillors voted by six votes to four to reject it.
The impact of that service in Tranent High Street is a lesson we have to learn