New plans for housing at Goshen

Ashfield Commercial Properties have lodged a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) for a residential-led site on an area of the farm which is approximately half the size of the original plan.

The decision has been described by Musselburgh Councillor Stuart Currie, who opposed the original development as 'disappointing'.

He said: "This new bid by the developers is not just disappointing to me but will be a disappointment to the entire community.

"I have not met a single person in my ward who believes this development is a good idea."

Ashfield had wanted to build on farm land after it was initially identified by East Lothian Council as a preferred site for housing.

In November last year, however, the council dropped Goshen Farm land from its draft Local Development Plan after more than 1,800 people signed a petition opposing the planned development.

Despite the decision, Ashfield appealed to the Scottish Government, claiming the council took too long to come to its decision and had failed to meet its statutory duty.

In September a Scottish Reporter scheduled a four-day hearing into the company's appeal, but two days into it, Ashfield suddenly withdrew.

Now they have lodged their intention to hold a public consultation on new plans covering a much smaller area than the original plan.

The new boundary for their proposed development covers the west half of the fields which run along the A199 from Wallyford Toll roundabout down towards Musselburgh East Community Centre.

The field to the east of the farm site, which sits beside Drummhor Holiday Park is no longer part of the proposed development.

The original plan for the entire 120-acre site remains on Ashfield Land's website as one of its current projects and has not been updated.

On their website the say Goshen Farm was acquired in an unconditional purchase in 2010.

And they promote the Wallyford park and choose service as offering excellent road bus and rail links to Edinburgh.