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The case for
After a report from Neil Sutherland, Principal Planner ELC, Bill Farnsworth, Racecourse General Manager, addressed the committee giving the case for the development. He was followed by Ian Good of Scottish Racing who outlined the supposed benefits to the local and national economy. There were two supporting statements made by Bill Farnsworth, one from Graham Blaikie of the Sportsman's Bar and another from Mike Walker, proprietor of the Woodside Hotel on Linkfield Road. It was strange that their statements were read out and neither they or any other local businesses were actually present to support the proposal. Finally, Robin Mcgregor, secretary of the Musselburgh Old Course Gold Club offered his support for the proposal. However this was done to cries of 'Judas'.
The case against
More than 20 objectors then stood and addressed the committee. Ian Colville, speaking on behalf of the season ticket holders, pointed out that the majority of golfers who played the Links were not members of the golf club, but that the club was the only organization in the town consulted on the plans. Roger Knox, the chair of HOOL, stated that the development was for the benefit of the horseracing industry and betting industry rather than Musselburgh. Fay Leslie Banks, a Millhill Resident, invited the councillors to step out of the racecourse hospitality suites to see the race day chaos that already exists and would be worst if the development went ahead. Stephen Edwards claimed that the conditions promised to control traffic congestion, noise and light pollution were nothing more than pious hopes that would be ignored as time passed. As evidence, he noted that the racecourse were currently not implementing conditions placed on them in the past.
Again and again, people condemned the use of Common Good land and the damage to the Old Course.
The Councillors response
Councillors rejected the concerns of objectors present and those 750 people who submitted letters of objection. Some of those who voted for the development did express some concern over the traffic plan and whether it would actually work. A number of those who voted for the development were also worried about some of the floodlights particularly those close to houses and the conservation area. Charles Ingle (Independent), who was against the development, described the proposed floodlights as "big, ugly, hideous things" and said that the noise and light will affect the quality of life of those nearby. Only one Councillor mentioned the Common Good.
Andrew Forrest, our so called local councillor, played a major role in the proceedings asking his colleagues to back the proposal and moving an amendment that consent be granted.
The vote
Despite the meeting lasting 4 hours, the outcome was predictable. The 8-4 vote for the proposal was followed by more heckling. Local people were furious at the way the vote went and there were cries of "shame" and "waste of time" as the decision was finally announced. Expecting possible trouble it was reported that a number of police were stationed outside the Brunton Hall at the end of the meeting.
Initial response and demand for a public inquiry begins
Community leaders condemned the outcome and said the council had ignored more than 750 objections and legitimate concerns about the development of the course.
Barry Turner of Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council said afterwards "This is a classic case for a public inquiry where everyone can put their case in some detail and the arguments can be tested, such as the economic benefits to the town, which need to be looked at in more detail."
So what did we learn?
Not a lot is the answer. One thing to come to light was the fact that the majority of the 1000 plus letters of support were pro-formers. (The validity of many of these can be called into questions; many supporters refused to give a name and/or address. Some of the supporters will have been misled by the MJRC as one of the pro-formers included false statements such as '..supporters of HOOL have voiced that they would like to see the racecourse closed down.') There were just five (5) formal letters backing the scheme and just two of those from local people who we learn work for the racecourse.
Other views from the media and elsewhere
"Not since the days when it was proposed to lump the Honest Toun [Musselburgh] into greater Edinburgh has anything raised such strong emotions and created so much bad feeling in a usually peaceful community", East Lothian Courier.
"None of the arguments which I heard at last Thursday's planning committee… convinced me that there is anything in this scheme for the common good of the people of Musselburgh", Jenny Mollison, East Lothian Liberal Democrats.
"Our experience has been that some of the councillors are racing enthusiasts and that may have coloured the judgments of their colleagues. The Links are part of our heritage", Ian Colville, HOOL.
"We have got to make sure that the development must be designed to preserve and enhance the existing architectural and historic features, particularly in a conservation area", Councillor Sheena Richardson.
"The perception is that councillors we trusted to act in the best interests of the town are just not listening", Andrew Watt, Old Musselburgh Club.
"It is difficult to see how the Musselburgh Old Course could in future be marketed with any credibility as an 'historic' golf course when surrounded by a floodlit artificial race track", Susan Deacon, MSP. "I genuinely believe that the Joint Racing Committee has made an error of judgment in pressing ahead with these plans".
"Local democracy does not exist when eight persons can vote in favour of something they know full well the people of Musselburgh have expressed a disapproval of. Councillors are elected to care for East Lothian on our behalf and not to dominate the residents against their wishes", Maureen McWatt, Musselburgh.
Unbelievable is the only word to describe the ELC Planning Committee's decision… Not only is OUR common land going to be used for this track, East Lothian's rate payers are paying for the privilege through the £9 million loan to assist the development. As I said before, unbelievable", Ian Finlay, Inveresk.
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