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Ministers reject racecourse plans Ministers reject racecourse plans
(about 3 hours later)
Multi-million pound plans to add an all-weather, floodlit circuit to Musselburgh Racecourse in East Lothian have been rejected by ministers.Multi-million pound plans to add an all-weather, floodlit circuit to Musselburgh Racecourse in East Lothian have been rejected by ministers.
It would have been the first facility of its kind in Scotland but the project divided opinion and became an issue in this year's council elections.It would have been the first facility of its kind in Scotland but the project divided opinion and became an issue in this year's council elections.
Backers of the scheme argued it would help develop the venue further as well as bring business to the town.Backers of the scheme argued it would help develop the venue further as well as bring business to the town.
Opponents said it would cause noise, light pollution and traffic congestion.Opponents said it would cause noise, light pollution and traffic congestion.
Studying findingsStudying findings
They also said it would damage the historic golf course in the centre of the track.They also said it would damage the historic golf course in the centre of the track.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Ministers have carefully considered all of the evidence presented at the public inquiry, the consultation responses and representations.A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Ministers have carefully considered all of the evidence presented at the public inquiry, the consultation responses and representations.
"They accept the reporter's findings of fact, and agree with his reasoning and recommendation that planning permission should be refused.""They accept the reporter's findings of fact, and agree with his reasoning and recommendation that planning permission should be refused."
A spokesman for the racecourse said officials and managers would be studying the details of the reporter's decision. Bill Farnsworth, Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, said: "We learned on Wednesday that our planning application to build an all-weather track had not been successful.
A spokesman for East Lothian Council said officials there would also have to study the detail of the reporter's conclusions before commenting. "We are very disappointed as the proposals would not only have brought major benefits to Musselburgh but to the Scottish racing industry as a whole.
"A meeting of the board of directors of Musselburgh Racecourse Ltd is scheduled for Monday at which the directors will discuss the findings before deciding on the way forward for the racecourse.
"Until the directors have had the opportunity to do this it would be inappropriate to make any further comment."
A spokesman for East Lothian Council said its officials would also have to study the detail of the reporter's conclusions before commenting.