I am writing regarding your article ‘Councillors not told of Cockenzie response’ (January 9, 2015).

In May 2013, the Scottish Government ran a 12-week consultation to gather views on its preferred spatial strategy for Scotland.

The council’s response to the National Planning Framework 3 (MIR) was delegated to officials at a meeting of the council’s cabinet in June 2013. This was because the consultation period ran into the council’s summer recess.

The response was developed by council staff and delegated councillors before it was submitted to the Scottish Government on July 17, 2013, and published on its website.

Although the council is not required to publish its responses, we undertake to make these available through our members’ library. As soon as we realised that had not happened, in this case we published the report and highlighted our oversight.

No decisions have been made on the future of the Cockenzie Power Station site, which is still owned by ScottishPower.

We understand that there is significant community interest in the site and we remain committed to working with representative bodies, councillors and council officials on our cross-party member-officer group. We are also committed to improving access to information and reports through the dedicated Cockenzie Power Station section on our website.

In the meantime, I would encourage your readers to read and respond to the council’s proposals for development in the county set out within our Main Issues Report: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/mir The consultation closes on February 8.

Monica Patterson Depute chief executive East Lothian Council