FAST food giant McDonald’s will not be opening a new restaurant in Musselburgh.

Plans for a drive-thru restaurant were rejected by East Lothian Council in August last year.

The global restaurant chain appealed the decision to the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division but it has been refused again.

The restaurant was to be built on part of the car park outside the town's Tesco store but the plans had received more than 150 letters of objection from members of the public.

Katrina Rice, the reporter appointed by the Scottish Government to look at the plans, backed the council’s decision to refuse the plans, with an announcement made today (Thursday).

Concerns about anti-social behaviour on the site were highlighted.

The reporter said: “By moving any anti-social behaviour off-site, this could exacerbate existing incidents of noise and disturbance on the Tesco car park, which is adjacent to some of the back gardens of elderly residents, separated by a narrow landscaped strip with a row of young trees.

“Other back gardens are situated slightly further away, across a row of parking beside the bowling club.

“As a consequence of the unique locational context of this proposal and the sensitivities associated with neighbouring properties, I do not consider that it has been demonstrated that the impact on the amenity of nearby residences due to noise and disturbance would be acceptable, irrespective of whether or not the play area and outdoor seating were removed.”

Councillor Stuart Currie, leader of the SNP group on East Lothian Council, took to social media to highlight the decision.

He said: “So pleased that the McDonald's planning appeal has been refused.

“When I called the application in to the planning committee it was because so many constituents in Musselburgh had got in touch.

“Great result for our town!"