LAST orders could have been served at a well-known Musselburgh pub which may be turned into a house as part of a new development.

Edinburgh-based Clifton March originally planned to knock down Mrs Forman’s at Ravensheugh Road to make way for three houses and a flat on the site.

A rethink is now on the cards, with the company considering retaining the pub building, which had been a local landmark next to Musselburgh Racecourse and Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club for many years.

A design statement, which was lodged with East Lothian Council, said: “Although popular in the past due to passing trade, business has diminished in recent years due to new transport links.”

The 0.1-hectare site is bounded to the north by woodland and to the east by other residential properties on Ravensheugh Road.

The design statement stressed that the location was “well suited” to housing and surrounded on three sides by existing residential development.

The statement added: “The location is also well served by local amenities and by the existing public transport network. The existing stone wall is to be altered and retained and the architectural style has been developed to be in keeping with the surrounding area.

“The proposal represents a new use for a site which has had limited interest in recent years as a pub/restaurant.”

A spokesman for the agents EMA Architecture and Design Limited said a number of options were being considered for the site. They included the retention of Mrs Forman’s and its renovation into a house because of its history in the town.

Two other houses would be built on the site in either a contemporary style with lots of glass or to reflect the historic clubhouses of other famous golf clubs such as Turnberry and Carnoustie.

Views over the golf course and racecourse would be maximised, with the new development providing a backdrop to the 4th green.

The spokesman said the site could be sold on to a developer with planning permission or the owner could decide to built the houses.

Irene Tait, chairman of Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council, said: “It is a shame that it could not be run as a business in that area but, if it has to be developed into housing, it should be sympathetically done.”