It is expected that they will then determine the next steps for the project.

The meeting, which starts at 9.30am, can be watched online.

The Outline Design has been in development for over a period of four years. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic the Council did not advance the design during 2020 / 2021 due to it not being possible to properly consult key stakeholders and the people of Musselburgh during that period. In October 2022 at a meeting of full East Lothian Council, and after a comprehensive consultation period, the project team were instructed to commence the Outline Design.

The initial vision of the Outline Design was presented through a major public exhibition in June 2023. Since then the project team have considered all feedback received through that event and have revised the Outline Design. A full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Outline Design has also been undertaken.

On 23 January Councillors are being asked whether or not this Outline Design is now sufficiently developed to allow the design to advance to the formal consultation process required under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.

The flood protection scheme is only one of three projects that are being brought together for a joint delivery by the Council under the umbrella of the flood protection scheme. These are:

• The flood protection scheme;
• Repair works to the existing Ash Lagoons Seawall
• The parts of the proposed Musselburgh Active Travel footpath network that sit on the footprint of the Scheme.

Together this constitutes a combined investment of £132.5 million to renew and enhance the historic, built environment in Musselburgh.

The original flood protection scheme now constitutes £53 million of this investment. The Scottish Government will contribute 80% of the cost of the Scheme.

Next week councillors will be updated on all projects but specifically the Scheme as it is the Scheme that requires to advance to its formal approval under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.

Conor Price, senior project manager, said: “The project team have spent the last few years working hard to listen to the people of Musselburgh, and we hope this developed Outline Design will reflect many of the requests and aspirations that have come to us through our many consultation forums. We have provided 14 photomontage visualisations on the Scheme Website at www.musselburghfloodprotection.com to assist with understanding how this design will sit in the existing natural landscape. On behalf of the project team and the council, I would encourage anyone who wishes to fully understand this design to look at these images.”

Council leader Norman Hampshire, added: “The design of the flood protection scheme for Musselburgh has now concluded the outline design stage. A huge amount of work has been completed to develop the design and the councillors of East Lothian Council are now required to fully review and consider this design at Council and determine whether we support, do not support or wish to pause the scheme.”