OVER the next two to four weeks, a hearing will take place in Musselburgh which could well decide the direction of Scottish racing. A public inquiry into Musselburgh racecourse's plans for an all-weather racetrack plus improvements to the historic golf links within the course will hear arguments for and against the developments.
Philip Hutchinson, the reporter, is a highly-experienced official who has handled several contentious inquiries, and it
is to be hoped that he can give ministers at the Scottish Executive a recommendation as soon as possible. An election is loomi
ng in May, and if the decision is not made before then, it will be put back many months, and the racecourse will lose its chance of gaining some extra all-weather fixtures, which will become available next year.
I have made my feelings known: I believe that the all-weather track is vital for the future of the sport in Scotland, and the plans, which have the approval of the local planning department and East Lothian Council as a whole, should be allowed to proceed forthwith.
The serious objectors consist mainly of NIMBY types whose main fear, if they are being honest, is that the value of their homes will be reduced because the plans involve erecting retractable floodlights on pylons to allow more meetings to be held on winter afternoons and during evenings throughout the year. Objectors can dress up their arguments as they like - concerns about bird sanctuaries and so on - but they are worried that properties will lose value, despite the absence of evidence that this will happen.
If they would admit the true basis for their opposition, the antis would gain more respect, from me at least. It's an honest argument, for in days of soaraway house prices, people have a right to object to developments that they believe will materially affect property values. Indeed, I believe that compensation should be paid where loss is proved.
But to claim that there is a massive groundswell in the Honest Toun to "save the Links" for reasons of history, wildlife and scenic value is so much tosh. More than 22,000 people live in Musselburgh, and I doubt if 20% of them could state why the golf course, for example, is deemed historic. It hosted six early Opens before 1890, the standard golf hole worldwide derives its diameter of 4.25 inches from Musselburgh, and the oldest recorded women's golf competition was held there in 1811.
The anti-campaigners also include people who have been scared into objecting because of misleading reports that the golf course will be altered beyond recognition. Yet curiously, the golf club whose members play on the course is not listed among objectors, and senior members are looking forward to improvements, such as a new six-hole course and practice area.
It is the golf course itself which provides evidence on why the racecourse developments should go ahead. Musselburgh Links was once a home of golf, a significant place where pioneers such as Willie Park senior and junior plied their trade. Though the original seven holes were extended by two in the 19th century, the course declined in the next century after tenant clubs, such as Royal Musselburgh and the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers moved elsewhere.
Musselburgh racecourse also went into decline, until the past 15 or so years saw a remarkable alliance develop between de-facto owners East Lothian Council and enthusiastic professional managers, such as Mark Kershaw and incumbent Bill Farnsworth, which has transformed the venue.
The racecourse is thriving, but it could be even better. An all-weather track, which would be the first in Scotland, would deliver a huge boost to Scottish racing and to East Lothian's economy, as many more racing opportunities would be created for Scottish-based trainers and owners, and pubs and hotels would benefit from increased visitor numbers.
If the developments do not go ahead, it is easy to conclude that the racecourse will stagnate, as the golf course did. A chance to make history would also be lost: Musselburgh could become the first major racecourse in the world to offer turf racing on the Flat and over jumps and all-weather Flat racing.
It boils down to going forward and making history or staying still and being trapped by history. I know which course I prefer.
The full article contains 770 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
