AMBITIOUS plans to transform the former Cockenzie Power Station site into a waterfront attraction which will bring tourists and jobs to the surrounding communities have been unveiled.

East Lothian Council-appointed consultants, creating a masterplan for the site and surrounding land, have produced four scenarios on how it could be used in future.

Each one combines tourist attractions, business, retail and industry, but at different ratios and using different parts of the site; but each one is, consultants say, based on the comments and feedback they have received from talking to local people about what they want.

Two of the four scenarios put forward for public consultation include retaining the Battle of Prestonpans site and Waggonway, with a visitors’ centre added.

The other two suggest keeping part of the site as agricultural land, with one scenario suggesting a further education campus is built north of the Waggonway, with the other suggesting a sports centre is put there.

At the waterfront itself, where the power station has been demolished and the land is being reinstated, options include a ferry terminal and port, a hotel, shops and a restaurant, and an energy production site.

Stefano Smith, representing one of the consultancy firms involved in drawing up the designs, Peter Brett Associates, told people who attended the first public unveiling of the proposals at Cockenzie Primary School last week that the views of residents were of the utmost importance.

He said: “The vision we are developing for the masterplan is entirely formed from the comments from the community.”

However, it was made clear that there would have to be some kind of energy plant on the site, as it remains designated for that use in the National Development Policy set down by the Scottish Government.

Fellow consultant Duncan Whatmore said the type of energy provider they were looking at was “low impact”, suggesting geothermal energy was a possibility.

The consultation included a picture of one of two geothermal plants which operate south of Munich, in Germany, as an example of the type of energy plant proposed.

Kevin Murray, who represented Kevin Murray Associates, which is involved in the consultation, said that initial public discussions in November about the future of the site had highlighted areas where tensions existed.

People’s concerns included: any energy development beyond the current power station site footprint; any development which would have a negative impact on residents’ quality of life; and the development’s impact on the coast or seabed.

He added: “Another important thing is retaining a gap between the two communities [Cockenzie and Port Seton, and Prestonpans] so that they do not merge into one but are connected with footpaths and cycle routes.”

The consultants highlighted the inspirational success of the Dundee Waterfront regeneration and Falkirk Helix and Kelpies but recognised that it would take 20 to 25 years to fully develop the Cockenzie site.

People attending the consultation were given a chance to ask questions following a presentation by the consultants.

Several praised the masterplan for taking onboard community views.

There were calls from one resident for something “iconic” like the Kelpies sculptures to be placed on the site, as he told consultants “the people of Cockenzie and Port Seton deserve something iconic”.

Questions were asked about where the money would come from to develop the land and the consultants said that as the masterplan took shape they expected it to become easier to attract investment.

Concerns were raised about the commitment of East Lothian Council to the development over 20 years or more, given they have elections every five years.

One resident said: “The concern is who is going to hold the rein over such a long period of time and make sure it remains true to the masterplan.”

Mr Murray said he worked on the Dundee Waterfront project and getting people to buy into the idea was important to its success.

Organisers held three public consultations in Prestonpans and Cockenzie and Port Seton.

The feedback will now be used to work towards a masterplan which will be presented to East Lothian Council in the near future.

Two years ago, Scottish Enterprise plans for a giant marine energy park at the former Cockenzie Power Station site, which is owned by ScottishPower, were scrapped in the wake of significant local opposition.