Musselburgh, East Lothian Planning Applications
Recent planning applications near Musselburgh, East Lothian.
East Lothian · Scotland · Town
Planning applications in Musselburgh are administered by East Lothian Council. View the full East Lothian Council planning applications page for approval rates and decision timelines.
About Musselburgh
Musselburgh, the largest settlement in East Lothian, Scotland, is situated on the coast of the Firth of Forth, just five miles east of Edinburgh city centre. With a population of approximately 21,100 as of 2020, this vibrant town offers a mix of coastal charm and urban accessibility, making it a key area for planning applications and development opportunities.
Enter a postcode to search for planning applications near Musselburgh.
Town Insights
Property Prices
Area Information
- Admin district: East Lothian
- Parliamentary constituency: Lothian East
- LSOA: Musselburgh East - 06
Crime Statistics
0 crimes reported in 2026-05.
Flood Risk
No active flood warnings near Musselburgh.
Keyword Scorecard
Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications near Musselburgh.
- Ecology & Wildlife Constraints (keywords: bats, bat survey, bat roost, great crested newt, GCN...)
- Trees & Landscape (keywords: tree preservation order, TPO, arboricultural, tree survey, root protection area...)
- Flood & Drainage (keywords: flood zone 2, flood zone 3, flood risk assessment, FRA, surface water...)
- Heritage & Conservation (keywords: listed building, grade II, grade II*, grade I, conservation area...)
- Green Belt (keywords: green belt, inappropriate development, very special circumstances, openness)
- Highways & Access (keywords: visibility splays, highway authority objection, access arrangement, parking provision, transport statement...)
- Refusal & Risk Indicators (keywords: refusal, delegated refusal, appeal dismissed, overdevelopment, character and appearance...)
- Planning Process & Appeals (keywords: appeal lodged, appeal allowed, appeal dismissed, public inquiry, inspector)
Planning Activity Summary
Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Musselburgh based on the last 24 months of planning data.
Nearby Applications
12 planning applications found near Musselburgh.
- - Musselburgh Race Course 3 Millhill Musselburgh EH21 7RG
Siting of container for use as bar service area and associated works (Retrospective)
Status: Permitted | Type: Full | Council: East Lothian | Date: 2025-02-21
View full details - - Musselburgh Racecourse Linkfield Road Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 7RG
Raising of ground level, formation of bund and access steps and erection of fencing
Status: Withdrawn | Type: Full | Council: East Lothian | Date: 2018-11-13
View full details - - Musselburgh Race Course Linkfield Road Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 7RG
Formation of hardstanding area, pedestrian access steps, erection of fencing and associated works
Status: Permitted | Type: Full | Council: East Lothian | Date: 2018-10-31
View full details - - Site At Levenhall Links Musselburgh East Lothian
Restoration of ash lagoons no. 6 and 8, regrading works to ash lagoon no. 7 and associated works
Status: Permitted | Type: Full | Council: East Lothian | Date: 2018-04-20
View full details - - Site At Levenhall Links Musselburgh East Lothian
Restoration of remaining ash lagoons (numbers 6 and 8)
Status: Permitted | Council: East Lothian | Date: 2017-12-08
View full details - - Musselburgh Lagoons Levenhall Links Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 7PY
The restoration of Musselburgh Lagoons in a manner different to that originally granted planning permission in 2001, and for the Restoration Plan to be implemented for uses consistent with recreationa
Status: Permitted | Council: East Lothian | Date: 2016-05-20
View full details - - Musselburgh Racecourse Linkfield Road Musselburgh EH21 7RG
Erection of fencing and gates, formation of hardstanding areas, steps and access ramp
Status: Permitted | Type: Full | Council: East Lothian | Date: 2016-02-01
View full details - - Musselburgh Racecourse Linkfield Road Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 7RG
Erection of marquee for a temporary period of 10 years, replace existing whin dust access road with a tarmac overlay and associated ground works (Part Retrospective)
Status: Permitted | Council: East Lothian | Date: 2013-09-05
View full details - - Musselburgh Racecourse 3 Millhill Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 7RG
Installation of 5 lighting/speaker columns and formation of steps with handrails (Part Retrospective)
Status: Permitted | Council: East Lothian | Date: 2012-05-24
View full details - - Musselburgh Racecourse Linkfield Road Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 7RG
General landscape works to Owners and Trainers Car Park (Part Retrospective)
Status: Permitted | Type: Full | Council: East Lothian | Date: 2009-04-09
View full details - - Musselburgh Racecourse Linkfield Road Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 7RG
General landscape works to Owners and Trainers Car Park
Status: Withdrawn | Type: Full | Council: East Lothian | Date: 2009-01-30
View full details - - Musselburgh Racecourse Millhill Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 7RG
Floodlit all weather track and associated works, new stable yard, ground staff workshops, secure fenced compound and accommodation block, new commentator, judge and photo finish facility, re-alignment
Status: Withdrawn | Type: Full | Council: East Lothian | Date: 2005-01-28
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A brief summary of Musselburgh in East Lothian
Musselburgh, the largest settlement in East Lothian, Scotland, is situated on the coast of the Firth of Forth, just five miles east of Edinburgh city centre. With a population of approximately 21,100 as of 2020, this vibrant town offers a mix of coastal charm and urban accessibility, making it a key area for planning applications and development opportunities.
There were no crimes reported in the immediate area during the most recent reporting period. This makes Musselburgh a particularly low-crime area.
For anyone interested in property development or monitoring local planning decisions, Musselburgh planning applications can be searched by entering a local postcode above. Results include full application details, decision status, and the ability to track applications over time and set planning alerts to help you monitor and review pending planning applications.
Planning Activity in Musselburgh
In the last 24 months, 51 planning applications were submitted near Musselburgh. Of these, 90% were approved, with an average decision time of 68 days.
This is slightly above the national average of approximately 87%, indicating a broadly favourable planning environment near Musselburgh.
At 68 days on average, decisions near Musselburgh slightly exceed the 8-week statutory target for minor applications, though this is common across many councils.
The most common application types near Musselburgh were full planning applications (29), listed building and heritage (9), advertising consent (5). Full planning applications account for 57% of all submissions, covering new builds, change of use, and works that go beyond permitted development rights.
In terms of development scale, 1 medium-scale application, 47 smaller schemes were submitted. The absence of major applications suggests the area is primarily characterised by smaller-scale improvements and extensions rather than large new developments.
Application Outcomes
- Approved: 35 applications
- Refused: 0 applications
- Withdrawn: 4 applications
- Awaiting decision: 12 applications
Nearby Towns
Explore planning applications in nearby areas:
- Fisherrow planning applications
- Levenhall planning applications
- Inveresk planning applications
- Pinkie Braes planning applications
- Wallyford planning applications
- Monktonhall planning applications
- Stoneybank planning applications
- Whitecraig planning applications
Related Planning Guides
- What Is Planning Permission in the UK? — Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.
- What Is Permitted Development? — Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use without the need to apply for planning permission.
- How Long Does Planning Permission Take? — Typical timelines for planning permission decisions in the UK, from submission to approval, and what can cause delays.