STOP. HARBOUR POINT

Who

We are the local Musselburgh community. We live, work & raise our families here, caring deeply for the town of Musselburgh.

We strongly oppose the current proposed redevelopment plan for The Harbour Point Business Centre on Newhailes Road, Musselburgh.


The Harbour Point redevelopment directly impacts our lives, our livelihoods & our community. We will not allow it to be changed without our voices being heard.

What

What is the Harbour Point Redevelopment?

It’s the proposed redevelopment of the existing Harbour Point Business Centre located in a commercial/industrial zone on Newhailes Road, Musselburgh. The proposal is for a 6-storey purpose-built student accommodation for circa 250 students.

The consultation boards are available here or on harbourpoint.scot website, run by Orbit Communications.

Key Points

  • Demolition of the existing commercial office building

  • Change of use from commercial to residential

  • Proposed 6-storey building

  • Accommodation for circa 250 students

  • Building to move from the current location closer to Newhailes Road

  • Situated within a commercial/industrial zone

Key Dates

  • 27 March 2025: First Public Consultation

  • No Later Than 10th April 2025: Comment on the proposals via hello@harbourpoint.scot

  • 19 June 2025: Second Public Consultation

  • Q3 2025: Submission of Planning Application

  • Q1 2026 Anticipated Planning Determination

How

How does this affect me?

There are many concerns & objections to the proposed redevelopment that have been raised by the local community. The redevelopment will have a huge impact on the wider community of Musselburgh.

Objections

  1. Zoning:
    Commercial & industrial zones should be kept for commercial use. This area is not intended for residential buildings & the proposal disrupts the intended use of the zone.

  2. Not in keeping with the area:
    A looming 6-story building is out of scale with the local surroundings. There are no other buildings of that size on Newhailes Road or in the surrounding area.

  3. Environmental Impact:
    High-density living increases waste produced in the area, careless waste disposal can create community health & safety issues.

    Multiple mature trees have already been felled by the owners, irreversibly changing the character of the area.

  4. Strain on Local Services:
    Healthcare & local services will be stretched by an increased population.

  5. Increased crime rates:
    Generally, an increase in population density can increase crime rates in the area.
    The Office for National Statistics reports that a higher percentage of younger people (aged 16-24) were victims of crime.
    High-density student accommodation can become a key crime target for criminals because this demographic typically owns more expensive consumer goods per head than any other demographic, e.g laptops, phones, bikes (saferhouses.co.uk).

  6. Parking & traffic:
    Harbour Point Redevelopment is proposed as a “car-free development”. However, there are concerns about how this could or would be enforced in reality.
    Leading to increased congestion & a strain on the current infrastructure.

If you have a concern or objection to the proposed redevelopment contact us on the form below. What are the people of Musselburgh saying

Public Concerns

  • "There will be a huge impact on NHS and local services that are already heavily stretched"

    Scott - Musselburgh Resident

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Make Your Voice Heard

Voice your concerns about the proposed
Harbour Point development. We will be organising an event & petition in due course. Add your comments below and we will add to your What People Are Saying page.