CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to build housing at Goshen Farm have collected more than 1,800 signatures on a petition calling on East Lothian Council to stop the development.
The Save Goshen Green Belt petition has been sent to the council ahead of its local development plan meeting in Musselburgh next week.
Opposition to the bid by Ashfield Land to build 1,200 new homes on the 120-acre site, near Musselburgh's Levenhall Links, has been gathering support.
Last month, Musselburgh councillor Stuart Currie, leader of the council’s SNP opposition, spoke against the plan, branding it the wrong development in the wrong place.
Mr Currie said: “I have yet to meet a resident in my ward who believes this is the right way forward."
Prestonpans Community Council has also voiced concerns.
Local resident Colin Mackay, who lives beside the land, has led the Goshen Green Belt campaign since the plans first emerged.
He said the site was grade one arable land, prone to flooding and had no direct access to the A1.
And he said with work already under way on the nearby St Clements Well housing at Wallyford, there was no reason to approve Goshen for more development.
He said: “With all the weight of argument against Goshen building up I cannot understand why East Lothian Council’s planners would suggest it is considered in the local development plan (LDP) as a 'preferred' site for housing.
“We are hopeful when the council meets to discuss the LDP in The Brunton next week the disadvantages of the Goshen site will persuade them not to go ahead with that status.
“The battle will continue as we try to ensure that the application is not granted at planning or appeal level.”
The main objections to the development are over the loss of prime agricultural land, concerns about the impact on traffic congestion, particularly in Musselburgh town centre, and intrusion into the green belt.