East Lothian councillors today voted to ask Scottish Ministers to make the final decision on a controversial £54 million flood scheme for Musselburgh as they were told the final cost was unknown.

A report on the Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme (MFPS) revealed nearly 500 objections remained outstanding against the proposals despite months of talks between officers and protesters.

Council officials had asked elected members to give preliminary approval to the scheme without any modifications after coming to the conclusion there would need to be too many to appease objectors and they still would not address all the issues raised.

The move would have meant Scottish Ministers would be notified and asked to decide whether to hold a public inquiry or send it back to the council to decid

See Full Page