REVISED plans to develop greenbelt land on the edge of Musselburgh are set to be lodged with East Lothian Council next month – but for 700 fewer homes than originally planned.

The proposal for 300 homes at Goshen Farm, east of the town, has been described as a “significantly reduced development” after previously abandoned plans had involved 1,000 homes.

But protestors fear that the smaller scheme could be the “thin end of the wedge” and remain firmly opposed to building at Goshen.

Representatives of Turley – planning consultants acting for site owner Ashfield Land and housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes East Scotland – attended a public consultation event last Thursday, held at Musselburgh Racecourse.

The exhibition formed part of a legal process as the companies seek planning permission in principle for a residential-led mixed use development on part of the Goshen site.

Members of the public attended, including representatives from the campaign group Hands Off Goshen Greenbelt (HOGG), which fought the initial plans.

Goshen Farm extends to 50 hectares but the section earmarked for the 300 new houses is 15 hectares, crossed by the Ravensheugh Burn.

The site sits at the eastern edge of the town, bounded to the north and east by fields, Wallyford toll connecting the B1361 road to the south, and A199 to the west.

Two accesses to the proposed new development would be at Haddington Road.

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

In November 2015, 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.

Last September, a reporter scheduled a four-day hearing into the company’s appeal but two days into it, Ashfield suddenly withdrew.

READ MORE: Goshen developer withdraws appeal

The following month, archaeological trenching was carried out which confirmed that there was no evidence of the English camp within the larger site boundary that is included in the Battle of Pinkie Inventory Battleground.

The companies said: “The reduction of the site boundary by approximately two thirds will drastically reduce any perceived impact upon the greenbelt and surrounding environment.

“Local infrastructure can support the development of the site and, where there are improvements required, these can be dealt with through a legal agreement attached to any planning permission, such as educational facilities.”

A resident of Ravensheugh Road, who did not want to be named, said: “I think this could be the thin end of the wedge. I am concerned about coalescence of houses because the town’s identity becomes lost. Once the precedent is set for Goshen and they get these 300 houses, then there will be another 300 houses and another, right round to where the Prestonpans houses stop. I am also concerned about the infrastructure in the town.”

Colin McKay, spokesman for HOGG, later said: “We were surprised that Ashfield came back quite so quickly with an application, albeit that it is much restricted in size. Opinion is unlikely to have changed in that residents generally don’t want Goshen built on.”

Barry Turner, of Musselburgh Conservation Society, said: “The society is opposed to any development on the Goshen site because it would add to the wholesale urbanisation of the locality, worsen traffic conditions on High Street, be damaging to cultural assets and fly in the face of our own vision for development in and around Musselburgh. “A smaller scheme is no less of a threat to the wider Goshen area than what was previously proposed because once part of the land is developed the rest is more easily opened up for development.”

Ward councillor Stuart Currie said: “I have previously made it clear that I do not support development on the Goshen site.

“As a member of the planning committee I have decided to speak out as this is such a major issue for many people that I represent. It will mean that I am precluded from voting on the matter should it come before the committee but I am yet to meet anyone who supports development on this site. I will not support an application because it will be the thin end of the wedge and, in my view, could lead to creeping development of the entire site.”

A spokesperson for Ashfield said: “The balance of the site remains under consideration in the Local Development Plan process but has been removed by East Lothian Council at this stage.”

Mansoor Ali, development director for Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said: “The consultation event was extremely useful in allowing us to incorporate local feedback into the future development of the site. Members of the community joined us to discuss issues primarily relating to transport and road infrastructure.

“A detailed transport assessment will form part of the planning application and we will use this feedback to provide recommendations for infrastructure improvements, with the aim of reducing any adverse impact the development may have to the local community.”