I hope that Musselburgh Links doesn't become another historical ruins that we can simply walk through and look at the broken pieces... I hope that it remains one of the last places where the word 'links" means substantially more than the ground it is laid out upon. Once that link is lost, no amount of restoration can ever bring it back… Musselburgh Old course can stand as golf's true north, where every compass from around the world would point to; the one place that held its ground while the world moves on around it.

Scott Michaux, Golf writer and sports columnist for The Augusta Chronicle
(home of the Augusta National Golf Club)

I simply could not believe the forest of lamp standards which are proposed. The golf course and race course will resemble a prison compound.

Mrs Williamson, Local resident.

The MJRC proposal is going to completely destroy the beauty of the Links.

G. Lambert, Musselburgh resident.

The destruction of the historic Musselburgh Links is a travesty for a council priding itself on the conservation of its cultural heritage.

Dr P. Abbot, Musselburgh Resident

I can’t envisage any golf course architect recommending siting a course within such an unattractive environment.

G. Cook, Musselburgh Resident.

Being the mother of an 18 month child who both lives close to the track and attends the local nursery, I am extremely concerned about the toxic hazards of the silica sand to be used in the construction [of the AWT].

Local resident.

What has been destroyed cannot be replaced.

W. Miller, Local Resident.

All-weather racing is merely betting shop fodder… It will be a travesty if the Musselburgh development goes ahead. It is not needed, it is not necessary and it will cause more harm than good.

Keith Nicholson, Tyne & Wear
(Horse racing fanatic
and horse owner)

The impetus for all-weather racing came not from the betting public but from the bookmakers, who wanted to minimise the winter days when their customers had no betting opportunities.

Chris Cook, The Guardian,
Wednesday January 25, 2006
 

From a serene, beautiful green spot it looks like like it may well be turned into something more fitting to Blackpool!

J. Mitchell (Local Resident)

The Environmental Impact Assessment refer to ‘minor adjustments’ of the 9 holes on the historic course. The first green, the second tee (The Graves), the fourth tee, the sixth tee and the sixth green will be obliterated. Hardly ‘minor’.

P. Collins (Local resident)

Listen to the opposition. It is more likely to be the voice of reason.

Fatima Garter (Musselburgh resident)

Musselburgh Links, gateway to the town, will be reduced to the appearance of a marshalling yard.

T. Thomas, Local resident.

The plans would irreversibly decimate this historical site and are nothing short of disgusting. Clearly you and your staff [East Lothian Council] have no feeling for local history and I would suggest that financial benefit is your forethought.

A. Cameron (Local resident)

Such a heritage site should be promoted, nurtured and cherished NOT have great swathes of floodlight lined all weather track cut through it.

As a racing fan, I think the proposals are a mistake.  They would change a lovely little duel purpose racecourse into a “GAFF TRACK”, where second rate horses would run for second rate prizes, with meetings purely being staged for the benefit of the larger bookmakers and television.

R. Anderson (Musselburgh resident)

The appearance of our treasured Links will be unrecognisable... this can only be described as vandalism beyond understanding.

Windsor Gardens Preservation Soc.

Installation of floodlighting will significantly degrade the architectural character of the surrounding residential area and will cause light pollution and considerable intrusion into the privacy of householders.

E. McDonald (Musselburgh resident)

The main beneficiaries of this proposed development are the Racing and Betting Industries, whilst the local community has everything to lose.

The Thomas family (Local residents)

The communities reward will be an influx of stag and hen parties that will be attracted to the ‘Blackpool style’ night racing and the associated vandalism and violence that will come from the binge drinking parties.

R. Thompson, Local resident

The proposals are abhorrent and are for the benefit of the online betting fraternity who have no interest in the fate of the landscape.

F. Stevens, Musselburgh resident.

Is there no sense of tradition and history left in this country?

R. Lesle, Musselburgh Resident

The proposed lighting system would throw out more light than Murryfield.

G. Davidson (Local resident)

I am an American golfer who has traveled to Scotland twice and hope to do so again many times... If the course is altered as planned, I would have no interest in playing the course.

Jason Topp, American Golfer

Just leave it alone. We don’t want it developed, we don’t want it changed, we don’t want our use to be restricted, we like it the way it is.

M. Moling, Musselburgh Resident