SCOTTISH Enterprise has pledged to support any future proposals for the former Cockenzie Power Station site and surrounding area, after withdrawing its own plans for a marine energy park.

In an exclusive interview with the Courier, David Leven, the agency’s head of energy infrastructure, promised: “We are not abandoning East Lothian.” He said they would be involved in any move forward which could boost the economy and community’s future.

Mr Leven said: “We do not want to communicate in any shape or form that we are abandoning the site at Cockenzie or East Lothian.

“We will be supporting East Lothian Council to bring forward alternative uses for the site. Our focus is on the economic development of the area.” Mr Leven said much would depend on the findings of the public consultation surrounding the council’s local development plan.

And he did not rule out the possibility of creating a cruise ship terminal at the former power station – a proposal which has been put forward in the past.

He said: “That is all part of the mix which will be subject to consultation moving forward.” The land which was earmarked for the energy park is largely owned by ScottishPower, which still has planning permission to build a gas-fired power station on it.

Those plans, however, have been hindered by the transmission charges it faces from the National Grid if it goes ahead.

The National Grid charges are based on the size of local population being served by a power station, and have been accused of discriminating against Scottish plants which face fees of millions of pounds, while others in densely populated areas in the south of England pay next to nothing.

The Battle of Prestonpans Heritage Trust has planning permission to create a Field of Remembrance on part of the land and hase approached ScottishPower with a request to lease or buy the area it wants.

There are also plans for a substation, linked to the Inchcape Offshore Windfarm proposal, on some of the land.

Perhaps the most ambitious plans have come from the Coastal Regeneration Alliance (CRA), which held several consultations with local communities.

Its vision includes a mix of business, retail and leisure facilities on the land, with improved harbour facilities including a boardwalk, and the possibility of turning the main power station building itself into an art gallery.

However, future plans rely on ScottishPower and its plans for the land.

At this stage, the energy firm will only confirm it is focusing on the deconstruction of the former power station.

A spokesperson said: “Since 2013 we have been actively following the conditions of our planning consent for a new gas-fired power station, and the main focus continues to be the successful completion of the partial dismantlement works.

“There continues to be a number of obstacles in the way of the construction of the CCGT development, undoubtedly the biggest being the continuation of the Transmission Charging regime that discriminates against new thermal power generation in Scotland.

“We have reassured all interested parties that we will keep them fully informed of plans for site.” A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: “We welcome Scottish Enterprise’s clarification on its intentions for the Cockenzie power station site.

“As a key opportunity in terms of economic development and a significant natural asset, our priority now is to work with Scottish Enterprise, ScottishPower, other potential investors and community representatives to secure a sustainable future for the site moving forwards.”