Public local inquiry for proposed Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme
A public local inquiry (PLI) will be held into a scheme to reduce flood risk in Musselburgh after Scottish Ministers wrote to us confirming they would ‘call in’ the proposals.
A preliminary decision was made to confirm the proposed Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme without modifications during a special meeting of Council on 30 September 2025.
During that meeting, councillors also approved a separate amendment asking Scottish Ministers to consider the proposals and establish a PLI. The final decision on the scheme progressing would then be made by Ministers independently.
Fresh consideration
In their letter confirming the decision last month, Ministers stated a public local inquiry would “provide an opportunity for fresh consideration of the proposed scheme through an external, independent process”.
The scheme will now be referred to the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division in the Scottish Government who will appoint a Reporter to hold the inquiry. Once a Reporter is appointed, it's understood an update on the process will be possible and that they will contact all relevant objectors.
Musselburgh’s flood history
The proposed scheme, which aims to reduce flood risk for up to 3,200 properties in the Musselburgh area, moved to the next stage of development following September’s Council meeting. That preliminary decision was taken after our officers presented a report setting out the history of flooding in Musselburgh and the increasing threat it poses from the river, the coast, and the impacts of climate change. In addition, the report detailed the engagement carried out with the local community to help develop the proposals.
Councillors further agreed that the project team, working in consultation with the planning authority, should seek to deliver 54 changes to the proposed scheme.
The proposed scheme has been developed to bring about a major reduction to the flood risk to Musselburgh, preventing flood water spilling onto the natural flood plains on which the town was built over the centuries.
