Plans to upgrade Musselburgh Racecourse in Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland, have been put on hold while the scheme is put before a public enquiry.

The £11m plans to build a floodlit all-weather track – as well as improve other facilities – had been approved by East Lothian council, and work was due to begin in July this year for a February 2007 opening.

However, the Scottish Executive has put the development on hold as a reaction to protests from residents about proposed changes to a nearby golf course, the 434-year-old Musselburgh Old Course, and the Ash lagoons, a wildlife sanctuary.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Executive said: “Scottish ministers have called in this planning application to decide it themselves. They want to ensure there is a thorough and public scrutiny before they make a final decision on the proposal.”