A planning application has been submitted for work on the former Cockenzie Power Station site in an important step forward in preparing the land for future economic use.
The site was purchased by East Lothian Council to support future economic growth and to create employment opportunities. A successful submission was made to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund to secure funding in support of the site’s regeneration and making it developable.
READ MORE: £11.3m boost for Cockenzie Power Station site regeneration
The application details what the funding will be used for including removing the bunds from around the former coal store, increasing the area that is developable and improving access, and using bund material to infill the hole where the former power station building was sited to create a level, developable platform.
The application seeks to use about 175,000 cubic metres of material, mainly gravel, sand and clay, that made up the bunds surrounding the former coal store to infill the void where the power station was situated.
Remaining bund material will be used to regrade the coal store site, essentially making a level platform to allow for future development. Concrete structures within the coal store will also be demolished and the material retained for future construction use.
To minimise disturbance, material from the bunds will be transported in trucks using a temporary road to avoid having to route the trucks via the memorial junction in Cockenzie.
The works are being 90 per cent funded by the UK Government Levelling Up Fund following the council’s successful bid. Public drop in events were in held in Port Seton in October and Prestonpans in December.
If permitted, it is anticipated that works will begin in mid-summer this year. Moving the bund material from the coal store is expected to take just over six months. Regrading of the coal store will begin in 2025. It is anticipated that work will begin alongside construction of the already permitted link road which will link the Alder Road junction on the B6371 approach to Cockenzie with the existing B1348 road.
Much of the route would follow an existing service road to the former coal plant and be complemented by a lane, largely set back from the main roadway, to encourage safe walking and cycling.
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