Further to Alan Eeles’ letter last week, it has long been apparent that proposals and decisions to suit the Scottish Government’s policies are proceeding with no allowances made for issues of local and environmental concern.

The gravity of this is compounded by the fact that our councils cannot cope with lengthy legal proceedings and, critically, the Scottish Parliament has no second chamber to influence matters.

The energy park proposal for Cockenzie is ludicrous and local people are justifiably outraged on many counts, as should be most other East Lothian residents.

Also, the proposed offshore windfarm known as Neart na Gaoithe has to be taken into account for the county.

The developer Mainstream Renewable Energy states that this windfarm of between 75 and 90 turbines will be sited 28km northeast of Dunbar, 32km northeast of North Berwick and 15km off the Fife Coast and feels that the visual impact will be “minor to none”.

Interestingly, Councillor Berry seemed to share this opinion in January 2013 and found time shortly after the referendum to post an article where he wandered off into the realms of inviting Berwick into Scotland. Perhaps East Lothian Council energy work was a bit slack, then.

This windfarm application is now at the determination stage with the omnipotent Fergus Ewing, who is also concerned with Cockenzie.

Scotland needs a reliable mix of energy, and East Lothian needs meaningful jobs, but the county and people’s lives must not be ruined by an Energy Minister who does not have to live beside the consequences of his decisions, which are made on SNP renewable targets, come Hell or high water, and nebulous figures for jobs.

Mr Ewing should make himself available in Cockenzie as soon as possible and should also attend the Public Enquiry in Dunbar on October 20, concerning objections to acquisition of land for onshore works by Neart na Gaoithe.

Helen Fraser Gateside Avenue Haddington