MORE than 1,000 people have joined hands to spell out a clear message to those behind plans for a massive marine energy park.

Residents of Prestonpans, Cockenzie, Port Seton and further afield came together on Sunday afternoon after the re-enactment of the Battle of Prestonpans.

They joined forces to show solidarity towards one common goal – to save the Greenhills area next to Cockenzie Power Station, and the site of the 1745 battle, and to ‘Keep Our Coast’.

Together, as well as joining hands to encircle the Greenhills, they spelt out ‘Keep Our Coast’ in ‘human’ letters, which were photographed by an aerial drone belonging to one of those involved, which was specially flown overhead.

A rowan tree was also planted.

A spokeswoman for the Coastal Regeneration Alliance, which is leading the fight against Scottish Enterprise proposals for a marine energy park, felt the message was loud and clear.

She told the Courier: “Scottish Enterprise are going to says jobs are going to be delivered through the marine energy park.

“We have to put forward a positive community alternative that communities buy into and support. It needs to fit in with the desires and dreams of local folk and the whole of the county.” Speaking on the back of the public show of support and the ceremonial planting of the tree (also see column on Pg 73), she added: “Sunday was overwhelming. It was emotional to see so many folk caring.

“Folk are really anxious and need information but I was overwhelmed by the community spirit.” Scottish Enterprise’s multi-million-pound plans for Cockenzie Energy Park would see giant wind turbines manufactured and repaired onland before being shipped to the offshore renewables industry from the former power station site.

The site could create hundreds of jobs but would significantly change the coastline, with a deep water quay planned, which would reclaim more than 11 hectares of land from the sea.

The spokeswoman described the proposed reclaiming from the sea as “catastrophic”.

She said the communities had grown to love Cockenzie Power Station buildings as they were part of the landscape.

However, with the decommissioning of the station, and the demolition of the iconic chimneys planned for the coming months, the group was keen to see the communities strengthened and able to enjoy a boost from tourism.

The overall footprint of the marine energy park could extend beyond the former power station and as far inland as the planned new town at Blindwells.

The new development quay, which has been described as critical to the whole project, would be capable of 24/7 deep water access to allow the import and export on vessels which are 140 metres long.

Initially, it was the communities of Prestonpans, Port Seton, Cockenzie and Meadowmill that expressed their concerns about the proposals.

Since then the campaign has “mushroomed”, with people from across the county offering to do what they can to help in the fight.

The spokeswoman outlined the problems with the plans, which have already been branded “clearly unacceptable” by East Lothian MSP Iain Gray, and said: “It’s the size, the location and there are historical links between the communities.

“You take the Preston Lodge High School catchment area and this is putting a divide up the middle of it, which is not healthy for anybody.” Another public meeting is being held on Monday night in Chalmers Memorial Church in Port Seton.

Such is the interest in the issue that the CRA is having to hire out two sections of the venue.

The church itself has a capacity of about 750 but, with upwards of 1,000 people expected to attend the meeting at 7pm, the hall attached, which has a capacity of 600-plus, will also be used.

Computers will be used to screen a presentation into the rooms which will outline what the people of the community would like to see done in the area, while there will also be updates on the Scottish Enterprise proposals.

Meanwhile, a petition rejected by East Lothian Council could now be passed to the Scottish Government.

It calls on the council to “halt the proposals and development of the Cockenzie Power Station site, surrounding green community areas, historic Waggonway and battle site by ScottishPower, Scottish Enterprise and Inch Cape and any other parties and begin immediate community consultations and dialogue with the communities of Prestonpans, Cockenzie and Port Seton, Meadowmill and Tranent, Longniddry and wider East Lothian county and allow the communities to have a voice and vision for any future development of this area”.

The local authority rejected the petition, describing it as “not competent”. Earlier this month, a council spokeswoman said: “The council does not have the powers to do what is being asked for in the petition. Any proposals for the site will be submitted by a third party and the council’s role as planning authority means we have a statutory duty to determine applications.”