A PETITION calling for public consultation on the future of the former Cockenzie Power Station and surrounding land is being kept open by the Scottish Parliament.

The petition, which was lodged by Shona Brash on behalf of the Coastal Regeneration Alliance (CRA), was initially sparked by Scottish Enterprise’s plans to build a massive energy park on the land.

This week, the CRA, supported by East Lothian politicians, persuaded the Parliament’s petitions committee not to close its petition, despite the energy park plans being scrapped.

They said the petition included important concerns about the need for the community to be consulted over any future plans for the area.

John Pentland MSP, convener of the public petitions committee, said the CRA had highlighted the need for community consultation at an early stage.

He said: “Organisations planning large-scale projects must engage and consult with the local community at the earliest opportunity.

“The Government’s upcoming Community Empowerment Bill is expected to give communities a greater say in the decisions that affect them and this planned development has now been scrapped.

“However, committee is keeping this petition open while we seek assurances from organisations, including Scottish Enterprise and East Lothian Council, that any future proposals will involve meaningful consultation with local communities.” Mr Pentland said the regulations surrounding future public consultations across Scotland might need to be reviewed following the CRA’s fight.

He said: “With developments of this magnitude, adequate and comprehensive consultation should take place with communities, and to ensure this happens, in my view it might be necessary to tighten up the requirements that must be met for such consultation and to look at sanctions that can be applied for non-compliance with those requirements.” The CRA said recently that Scottish Enterprise showed no desire to engage with the community.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Scottish Enterprise made it clear to us that they considered East Lothian Council representative of the community and thought consulting them was consulting the people.

“Obviously we disagreed.” East Lothian MSP Iain Gray attended the petitions committee to back the CRA’s call for the petition to remain open.

He said: “Although the CRA petition was against the now defunct energy park proposal, it also asked the committee to ensure that any future proposals would be subject to full public consultation. “I pointed out to the committee that they should seek those assurances from the owners of the site and those likely to be involved in any future projects on the site.

“I am pleased that after discussion, the committee accepted my arguments, undertook to seek assurances and continued the petition on that basis.” The committee meeting was also attended by East Lothian SNP candidate for Westminster George Kerevan.

Mr Kerevan said: “As MP for East Lothian, I will work with the CRA, East Lothian Council, the Scottish Parliament and the European Parliament to drive forward the regeneration of Cockenzie and Prestonpans and provide local jobs for local people.”