Light columns.

Impact on conservation area and visual impact on Linkfield Road / Balcarres Road.

Section 4, Appendix 4.2a and Section 9

Stable area.

Nature and style of buildings.

Section 4, Appendix 4.3a

Transport assessment.

Assessment of impacts associated with the increased number of maximum attendance at race events on the turf track.

Section 7 (completely revised)

Green travel plan.

Details of the Joint Racing Committee's approach and target for increasing the use and provision of public transport at race events and as a result reducing the use of the car into Musselburgh on race days.

Section 7 (completely revised)

Cultural significance of golf course layout and landscape features.

A review of Musselburgh Links Course has been compiled. A topographic survey of the golf course has been prepared, which can be used as a base to direct further analysis of the landscape features. Interpretation boards to explain the history of the golf course at Musselburgh

Section 15 and Appendix 15.4

Finalised East Lothian Local Plan 2005/Musselburgh Lagoons Masterplan.

Proposals are a significant variation from the agreed masterplan. Justification for loss of woodland and amenity land has been considered with respect to the Michael Laird masterplan and that published in the finalised local plan.

Section 6 and Appendix 6.1

Loss of woodland planting (analysis resulting from the consideration of the masterplan).

The junior six hole course and the practice area have been redesigned such that the loss of woodland from the existing woodland shelter belts has been reduced to the minimum required for construction of the realigned back straight.

Sections 4 and 8.

Tree and shrub planting.

Details of tree and shrub planting plus management plan for retained shelterbelt woodland. New woodland planting has been reduced in area to that associated with the proposed new reservoir.

Sections 4 and 8, see also Figures 4.3 and 4.4

Social and economic benefits associated with the development.

To inform the judgment on whether the benefits of the development, as a whole, outweigh the potential environmental disbenefits to the Conservation Area. It should be noted that the updated and amended ES has also addressed a reduction in certain of the identified disbenefits that were identified within the original scheme.

Section 6 (Appendix 6.2)

Assessment of noise impacts associated with the public address system and race day traffic within the SPA.

The original ES did not consider these potential impacts specifically or in detail. Therefore additional survey and assessment has been undertaken.

Section 8 (Appendix 8.3)

Assessment of light pollution impacts within the SPA.

Insufficient detail submitted within the original ES to inform this aspect of the assessment. The light levels from the proposed floodlights have been calculated and assessed with respect to typical moonlight values on the SPA boundary.

Section 8 (Appendix 8.4)

Ornithological baseline surveys.

Period over which baseline surveys took place was insufficient and did not include potentially sensitive periods for migrating birds. Currently survey work is ongoing such that a representative 12 month data set will be available for auditing purposes should planning permission be given. The most recent data up to end October 2005 has been submitted.

Section 8 (Appendix 8.5)

Open space.

Lack of awareness of the extent and use of open space on Levenhall Links. This is a difficulty of the masterplan process - a clear statement of intent has been given that area within the racecourse will available as public open space and its use promoted by continued use of multiple access points into and across the area.

Section 4 and 10.

Viability of retained woodland.

The area of woodland has been significantly increased by retaining woodland to the south of the realigned back straight and area defined for coppicing / thinning to promote wind firm edge to the woodland. A detailed 10 year management plan has been identified to promote the long term maintenance of the woodland. The management plan would be agreed with the
Landscape and Countryside Department, as a condition should consent for the extension to the racecourse be granted.

Section 8 (Appendix 8.6).

Public access to the boating lake and wader scrape.

The access route identified on the masterplan submitted with the application (June 2005) did not conform to those identified on the Musselburgh Lagoons masterplan. This masterplan has been amended and a tarmac access road on the route identified in the interim planning policy masterplan has been shown (see Figure 4.4).

Section 4 (Figure 4.3).

Litter management.

With the increase in the number of events the responsibility for litter management associated with race events should be the responsibility of the racecourse and procedures for the prompt removal of litter from the links implemented. Use of litter fence on boundary of realigned back straight has been promoted, but would conflict with access into the racecourse area from the north. The retention of woodland within the racecourse will continue to act as a barrier to litter blowing across the links, plus a clear statement of intent to undertake litter management following race events has been promoted as the preferred litter management option.

Section 10.

Water management and usage.

If the Scottish Power reservoir becomes disused, following the final reclamation of Lagoons 8 and 6; this would impact on the vegetation management in the boating lake, wader scrapes and Lagoon 8 roost (future). A clear statement that the Scottish Power reservoir would be maintained primarily for salty water to use in vegetation management. The new system would be fresh water only, but has been designed to provide sufficient water for all potential uses on the links (from information on the Musselburgh Links masterplan).

Section 14.

Extent of path network not clear.

As identified earlier, it is not the intention of this development to restrict the current open access within the racecourse. However, a main east to west route to the north of the realigned back straight has been identified. This will be available at all times and will have a multi-use tarmac surface. Use of this path may be extended during winter evenings as a result of floodlight race events.

Section 10

Public car park on site off Balcarres Road.

Surfacing to avoid deterioration of the grass surface. Main spine roads will be tarmac surfaced. Parking areas will be protected by a geo-grid grass surface.

Section 4 and 10

Golf practice area.

Clear statement that this will be available for public use.

Section 10

Long term monitoring and management.

Clear statement of intent that the racecourse would continue to fund the monitoring and audit actual impacts within the SPA. In addition, the racecourse would also be responsible for any future agreed changes in management regime required to protect the SPA, in so far as the change is identifiably influenced by the development of the race- course and race events. This would be implemented through regular update reports submitted to the planning authority during the construction period and as a result of monitoring during future race events.

Section 8

Air quality and noise associated with predicted transport on trunk road network.

Predicted impacts and assessment associated with traffic flow to the racecourse on the A1.

Appendix 11.3

Air quality impact on Musselburgh High Street.

Further analysis of NO, and PM10 required with respect to traffic flow associated with race events.

Appendix 12.1

Excavation of PFA, its use and disposal.

An outline specification has been prepared. All excavated PFA will be disposed of off site and clean fill will be used to make good the proposed construction surface, where necessary.

Section 13 (Appendix 13.4)

Assessment of chemical hazards associated with material use in all weather track (AWT) surfacing.

Inspection of the COSHH data sheets has raised concerns regarding the health and safety of the constituent materials in the surfacing used for the AWT. An assessment of the health impacts associated with the AWT surfacing has been prepared.

Section 13 (Appendix 13.5)