Detailed design work set for Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme
Comprehensive design work will be undertaken on the proposed scheme to reduce flood risk in Musselburgh following a full Council meeting.
Elected members approved starting Stage 6 of the project (detailed design) early due to “continuing uncertainty” caused by a recently imposed funding cap on the national flood protection scheme programme and deadline changes.
In their report to the meeting held on 28 April, our officers recommended advancing to this stage to “help ensure the scheme’s delivery” if it receives consent from Scottish Ministers following an upcoming public local inquiry (PLI).
This work on the Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme (MFPS), which aims to reduce flood risk for up to 3,200 properties in the area, will now begin while the PLI is ongoing.
The report set out the legal requirement to advance the detailed design for the full scheme as approved by Council last September. This will enable us to satisfy the criteria for Scottish Government funding and also meet deadlines imposed by recommendations from COSLA (the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities).
The scheme’s funding cap of £35.6 million was announced in February 2026 by the Scottish Government and COSLA after a review of Cycle 1 flood protection projects across the country.
Following the PLI, Scottish Ministers are expected to make their final decision on whether the scheme progresses in late 2026 or early 2027.
Head of Infrastructure Tom Reid said: "We remain fully committed to delivering the scheme as notified to Council in January 2024 but given recent decisions by the Scottish Government and COSLA, a signed construction contract must be in place by around February 2028 to maintain its eligibility for national funding.
“By starting the detailed designs to proceed concurrently with the PLI and preparing for procurement, we can address these delivery challenges within the constraints of available funding and meet this deadline.
“That work can proceed while the PLI is giving anyone with an objection to the current proposals the opportunity to express their concerns before Ministers make an independent decision on its future.
“A phased construction approach and business case, which will be recommended to Council, should make it eligible for future national grant funding awards for flood protection programmes.”
Elected members voted unanimously to approve moving to Stage 6, detailed design, which is expected to begin around August and take 24 months to complete at an estimated cost of £6m.
Last September a preliminary decision was made to confirm the proposed MFPS without modifications during a special Council meeting. Ministers decided to ‘call in’ the scheme last December and subsequently appointed a Reporter to conduct the PLI.