Flood scheme views deadline

MEMBERS of the public have until Wednesday to make representations or objections about the Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme (MFPS).

Following the presentation of the outline design to East Lothian Council in January, the go-ahead was given to move to the formal, statutory approval process.

This will be “live” until Wednesday, a council spokesperson said.

They said: “This notification period will provide an opportunity for the community to view and comment upon the proposals. All of the documents, including the environmental impact assessment report, are available to read at the Brunton Hall, Musselburgh; John Muir House, Haddington; and Dalkeith Library, as well as online from the dedicated website.”

The spokesperson said: “Representations or objections can be sent by post or by email. For objections to be considered, they must be valid under the terms of the legislation. This means that it must be made in writing, set out the name and address of the objector, be accompanied by a statement for the reasons for the objection and be received by the council on or before Wednesday, April 24. Full details on how to make a representation or valid objection are available to read along with the documents and online.

“The council will consider representations and valid objections that it receives. This will be the subject of a further report to a full council meeting to update members on the outcomes of the consultation period and next steps for the scheme. Depending on whether valid objections are received, the council, and potentially the Scottish Government, will consider the Musselburgh Flood Prevention Scheme and decide whether to confirm it with or without modification, or to reject it.”

The council explained the scheme would “provide formal flood protection to around 3,000 properties in the town at risk from a major flood event”.

It added: “Musselburgh is also a regional gateway between East Lothian and Edinburgh and thus contains many key regional infrastructural assets including road, bus, emergency services, wastewater and gas distribution etc. These will also be protected by the scheme.”

To find out more, see musselburgh floodprotection.com/proposed-scheme