EAST Lothian Council’s chief executive has described a loss of confidence in some quarters concerning the local authority’s handling of the future of the Cockenzie Power Station site as “regrettable”.

In an eight-page letter responding to a complaint from the Coastal Regeneration Alliance over the council’s handling of proposals for a massive marine energy park, Angela Leitch said that she believed the council has, and will continue to, act with professional integrity.

She added: “It is regrettable that some local residents do not have confidence in the way East Lothian Council is handling the situation with regard to the future of the Cockenzie Power Station site.” The complaint from members of the alliance, which has been formed in the wake of Scottish Enterprise proposals to create the energy park at the former power station and beyond, questioned whether it was right for council officials to put forward plans for the area without first discussing them with elected councillors.

It also questioned a perceived lack of public consultation on the issue and the ability of elected councillors to make a decision on the plans when they are formally put before the council next year.

Ms Leitch said she had reviewed the complaint and found no evidence that council officers had acted inappropriately or beyond their authority.

She added: “I do not uphold the complaint that was made.

“We do, however, always look to learn and improve when concerns are brought to our attention and this case is no exception.” And she defended the decision by the council to investigate the potential development of Cockenzie, both as the site of a deep water quay and industrial park.

In the letter Ms Leitch said: “Clearly, proposals for such a high-profile site will cause debate in the local community and may divide public opinion.

“We have a difficult balance to strike. A potential application such as this can offer much for the local economy, including the creation of jobs.

“In broad terms, as a council, we should seek to maximise the economic opportunities this could bring to the county. Equally, this should not be at the expense of the local community or the local environment.” Ms Leitch went on to encourage the alliance to continue talks with the council and other community representatives to ensure the views of the whole community were represented as the proposals moved forward.

And she conceded there had been some errors, saying that describing Cockenzie in a report to the Scottish Government as having deep water, when in fact it is close to deep water, “could have been made clearer”.

She also responded to a concern about councillors not sharing early information about the potential use of Cockenzie with its residents by pointing out: “There is no obligation for councillors to notify their constituents of consultation processes.”