PLANS to create a huge energy park which would redefine the coastline and landscape between Prestonpans and neighbouring Cockenzie and Port Seton are being put out to tender, the Courier can reveal.

Talks have been held with East Lothian Council over the proposed industrial development, which would use the decommissioned power station site at Cockenzie and land further to the south.

The multi-million-pound plans would see giant wind turbines manufactured – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – for the offshore renewables industry.

And a deep water quay for importing and exporting the turbines could also open the way for cruise ships to dock at the site.

The ambitious project, which would be a huge jobs boost, would change the character of the area significantly and mean re-routing the recently completed John Muir Way.

The proposed site also includes the former coal handling plant area to south of the existing power station building – currently being decommissioned – and part of the Blindwells land which has been earmarked for residential housing.

On Wednesday, a spokesman for Blindwells developers Hargreaves insisted the housing would still go ahead.

He said: “As part of the Blindwells project we have identified an area within the development for possible business/job creation that won’t impact the number of new homes we are proposing.

“We would like to support projects that bring new job opportunities to the area and hope that we could be part of any future proposals that would enhance our plans for the site.” The energy park, if approved, would kill off plans ScottishPower had to build a gas-fired power station to replace Cockenzie Power Station.

The energy hub vision has been put forward by government agency Scottish Enterprise, which has commissioned an Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report..

East Lothian Council leader Willie Innes told the Courier the project could bring many jobs to the county by encouraging more businesses into the area.

He said: “It is still early days and we are committed to working with Scottish Enterprise to explore the potential of this strategically important national asset, as well as identifying any constraints or risks.

“The council has been working with Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Power and other partners to secure the future use of Cockenzie. These proposals offer a potential opportunity for the long term use of the site.” The report states Cockenzie has been identified as a strategically important location for a major energy hub, in the Scotland National Planning Framework, and the new energy park would meet the Scottish Government’s plans for renewable energy.

But it admits the impact on the local community, marine life, habitat and the coastline itself would be huge.

Within the proposal are plans to build a new quayside, which is described as “critical” to the project going ahead.

The new Deployment Quay would be capable of 24/7 deep water access to allow the import and export on vessels which are 140 metres long, as well as having two dedicated berths for wind tower installation vessels to take completed wind turbines from the site to offshore developments.

The plans for the new quay also include reclaiming land from the sea, which would in total cover an area of 11.8 hectares.

A 50-metre lighting tower mast with 20-metre high masts, which would be designed to have lighting reduced when not required, would also be involved, but as a constant operation they would be constantly on, lighting up the industrial area.

The industrial area, including the former coal handling plant and land at the former Blindwells opencast site, would mean realigning the B1348 Edinburgh Road.

The development would have 30-metre-high buildings, including some 700m long and 100m wide to accommodate creating turbine blades.

And giant cranes, which can reach 156 metres into the sky, would be used.

The report confirms the project “represents an intensification of use of the Cockenzie site, rerouting of core paths and potential adjustment of John Muir Way, as well as significant impact on local landscape and seascape.” And it reveals talks have been held already with council officials and statutory bodies, including Scottish Natural Heritage.

The project has already been put out to tender, inviting firms to get in touch with Scottish Enterprise.

The scoping report said there would be a direct impact on cultural heritage areas such as the Battle of Prestonpans site.

A spokesman for ScottishPower, which owns the land, said: “The Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework identified Cockenzie as a strategically important location for the development of an energy hub, and as such we support Scottish Enterprise with their study.” David Leven, head of energy infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise, said: “We are currently looking at a number of options to fully unlock the economic development potential of the Cockenzie Power Station site.

“This report outlines an initial potential scheme which will now be looked at in more detail as part of the consultation process, which will commence in the coming weeks.” Reaction to the proposals was mainly positive.

Prestonpans Community Council chairman Jimmy Yule said it was a great opportunity which could create thousands of jobs.

He said: “It is going to be a massive benefit to the local towns, which will get a lift from the jobs it will create and the boost it will give the economy.” And he believed the site would also open the opportunity for cruise ships to dock in East Lothian.

East Lothian MSP Iain Gray said: “The proposals outlined offer a potentially fantastic opportunity for giving the site a positive future and maximising the number of local jobs created.

“The offshore wind industry has the potential to be huge in Scotland, and frankly, I want to see East Lothian get some of the benefits.

“However, there is clearly still a long way to go with developing the proposals. Full consultation with local communities on the potential wider impact of such a substantial development will also be essential.”