A HEARING into plans to build a substation on the former Cockenzie Power Station site will be held in public.

Scottish Ministers called in the planning application by Inch Cape Offshore Limited (ICOL) earlier this year after ruling it was of "national importance".

The controversial move meant East Lothian Council would not be allowed to rule on the application, which will see the substation, which will bring energy from an offshore wind farm into the national grid, built on the former power station site.

Opponents fear it will have a negative impact on plans to develop the site for the benefit of the community and insist there are better, less prominent sites for the building.

Following a site visit by the Scottish Government Reporter at the start of August, it was announced a hearing would be held.

Now the Reporter has confirmed that the hearing will be open to the public.

It is being held at 10am on Tuesday, October 2, at Port Seton Centre.