INTRODUCTION

1.1 Gifford is an historic 18^th century planned village in the foothills of the Lammermuirs approximately 5 miles from Haddington. Its population increased from 663 in 1981 to an estimated 717 in 1994 and the village supports a range of services including a primary school, hotels, a restaurant and several shops and a regular bus service to both Haddington and Tranent. The village is popular with visitors and is of considerable architectural importance as a well-preserved 18th century planned agricultural village. Gifford has a mix of public and private housing with recent developments at Walden Terrace and Station Road.

HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT

1.2 The Lothian Structure Plan 1994 does not require additional land for housing or employment to be identified within the rural villages and Gifford is included within an area of housing restraint. There is no known demand for business or industrial use in the village. No specific land allocations are therefore proposed.

1.3 Opportunities for infill development within Gifford, which might include for small-scale business/workshop use as well as housing, are very limited. The development strategy for Gifford is to continue to conserve and enhance the village allowing only appropriate small-scale development where it can be shown to be sympathetic to its character. Any such proposals will be assessed against available school capacity and Local Plan policy, particularly Policies ENV1 (Housing Areas), ENV3 (General Design Criteria), ENV4 (Infill and Backland Development) and, where applicable, Policy ENV10 (Conservation Areas).

1.4 The only specific proposal within the plan period is for the development of a Council-owned housing site at Walden Terrace identified for low cost housing for rent.

1.5 Gifford is a well-conserved village and both its built up area and its setting are designated as an outstanding Conservation Area. Where development is proposed, the following appraisal of the character of Gifford Conservation Area will be used in association with Local Plan Policy ENV10 (Conservation Areas) to ensure that it is of a character and scale appropriate to the village.

1.6 Gifford was planned as a replacement village in the early 18^th century to complement Yester House begun in 1699. Its wide Main Street is dominated at its north end by the whitewashed church built in 1710 which is a focal point in the centre. The original form of the village is preserved and consists of two main streets at right angles to each other that converge at the mercat cross and The Square. The built form of the village consists mainly of regular terraced rows of 18^th century predominantly two storey houses in the centre. The old walled greens between High Street and The Avenue give the village an open and spacious feel. The line of mature lime trees along The Avenue which leads to the main gates of Yester House are an historically important feature of the village emphasising the importance of Yester. Most of the 18^th century buildings in Gifford are listed for their consistent architectural form including consistency of construction that reflects the nature of a planned village. Many buildings are built of rubble often harled and whitewashed particularly in Main Street. Roof coverings are predominantly natural slate or pantile and the houses have timber sash and case windows. The architectural integrity of the village has been extremely well maintained and it is important that future development does not harm this character and where possible re-introduces original design details.

1.7 Several later housing developments in the village have their own architectural character but fit well into the pattern of generally low density buildings particularly those close to the centre. In each of these areas any new development should be similar in form to its neighbours.

1.8 Gifford’s landscape setting is important to its character as one of the hillfoot villages of the Lammermuirs. Its immediate setting around contains large areas of woodland, enhanced by the trees that extend into the village alongside the Gifford Water. The formal parklands of Yester are designated as an historic designed landscape and any proposals that may affect this landscape will also be assessed against policy NH3. Many of the trees forming Gifford’s setting are further protected by Tree Preservation Orders and all trees within the Conservation Area require permission before work on them can be undertaken.

1.9 There are few opportunities for infill developments in the village. Any such proposals must not detract from the character and appearance of the historic core of the village and from the important open greens at High Street and The Avenue. Infill and backland development will not be permitted within garden plots to the rear of housing in the centre to ensure the protection of the historic pattern of development.

Article 4 Direction

1.10 The Conservation Area is presently the subject of an Article 4 Direction made under the Town and Country Planning (General Development) (Scotland) Order 1981 which withdraws permitted development rights from certain development which does not in other circumstances require planning permission. These smaller scale developments such as minor extensions can have an impact on the character and appearance of an area and additional planning control is therefore considered necessary. The replacement of the above 1981 Order by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 (as amended), required a review of the terms of all the Council's Article 4 Directions. This review has been completed and it is proposed that permitted development rights be withdrawn from the following classes of development within the Gifford Conservation Area.

1, 6, 7, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 27, 30, 33, 38(b), 38(d), 39(b), 39(f), 40(a), 40(f), 41, 67(a) and 67(d). See Appendix 7.

1.12 The current Article 4 direction will remain in force until the revised Direction is approved by the Secretary of State.

The Avenue

1.13 The lime trees lining The Avenue are a prominent feature of the Conservation Area and are protected in their own right by a Tree Preservation Order. The trees are very old and have reached full maturity. Consequently, they are more susceptible to adverse environmental conditions. Car parking beneath their crown spreads is a common occurrence, particularly during the summer months. This is causing compaction and erosion of the soil and direct damage to tree roots. The Council and the landowner are examining options to prevent car parking in this area.

Map (232K)