CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a children’s home in the middle of a residential estate in Musselburgh have been dropped.

The proposed home for looked-after children, which would have been built at Lewisvale Park, sparked a furious reaction from residents when they were first submitted, who accused East Lothian Council of trying to “railroad” it through.

Now, the council has revealed it has shelved the plans after striking a deal to buy St Joseph’s School at Meadowmill, where it currently houses looked-after children.

The Courier revealed in February how plans for a six-bedroom home on the edge of Lewisvale Park had sparked anger after only 20 houses in the surrounding streets received letters about the proposals.

A petition with more than 130 signatures objecting to the home was quickly gathered and, as protest grew, Musselburgh MSP Colin Beattie arranged a public meeting in the town’s St Andrews Parish Church.

More than 250 residents packed into the church to hear about the plans, but there was further anger when representatives of young people’s charity Who Cares Scotland accused residents of “prejudice” against children in care.

But protestors insisted that their objections were always about the size of the new build and its location, not its intended residents.

Following a further public meeting, held in Musselburgh Grammar School, the council extended the public consultation time for the plans to allow everyone to have their say.

And on Wednesday, they announced they had agreed to buy St Joseph’s School and its outbuildings and no longer planned to proceed with the Lewisvale project.

MSP Colin Beattie said: “I am very pleased with the news.

“The original development was inappropriate for the size of site and there was strong local resistance to it. I am glad the council has seen sense and is no longer proceeding with these plans.” The new children’s home proposal came about after St Joseph’s owners the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh put it on the market in 2013. The council uses part of the large 6.53-hectare site to house Pathway.

Councillor Shamin Akhtar, education and children’s wellbeing spokesperson, said: “I am delighted to say that the council has been able to purchase St Joseph’s School, Meadowmill, and all its associated outbuildings, including Pathway, our looked-after children and young people’s centre. This is great news for the children and young people there, who will be able to remain in their home.

“It also means that we will now withdraw our planning application for the proposed development at Lewisvale.

“Proposals for the other buildings on the site will follow in due course.” Councillor Stuart Currie, ward councillor for Musselburgh East, welcomed the decision to shelve the Lewisvale plans.

He said: “It was a struggle to find any local residents in favour of this proposal, so this news will be a relief to many who were concerned about it.” Louise McIsaac, one of the residents who led the campaign against the plans, said she was delighted by the decision.

She said: “We won and I want to thank everyone for their support.

“The residents rallied together and it shows people power can make a difference. I am grateful to everyone who helped.”