DEVELOPERS refused permission to build houses at Old Craighall – which would have doubled the size of the community there – have appealed to the Scottish Government.

The plans for 52 new homes in the hamlet, on the outskirts of Musselburgh, were unanimously thrown out by East Lothian Council’s planning committee in June.

At the time, Elaine Edwardson, from Old Craighall Residents and Tenants Association, said that the proposed development would “damage the hamlet of Old Craighall”.

Clarendon Planning and Development Ltd wants to build the new houses on 1.63 hectares of agricultural land to the east of Old Craighall Road.

The plans would turn a cul-de-sac on Queen Margaret Way into a through road.

East Lothian Council ruled that the plans were against council interim planning guidelines, which said developments should be proportional to the existing settlements.

A total of 32 objections were received, the majority from residents.

During the planning committee meeting in June, Councillor David Berry criticised the developers for not waiting for the council’s Local Plan, due to be published in October, before lodging their application.

The Local Plan will identify where the local authority believes housing should be built to meet the Scottish Government’s directive for more homes in the county.

However, Clarendon has now lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government, asking it to overturn the council’s decision.

Though the appeal is yet to be allocated to a Reporter, it is hoped a decision will be made in October.