Scottish Enterprise's decision to shelve its bid for a giant marine energy park in the west of the county both stunned and delighted local residents who have been battling the plans.

Members of the Coastal Regeneration Alliance (CRA), a grassroots campaign set up to oppose the proposals for the land at and surrounding the former Cockenzie Power Station, initially spoke of disbelief before jubilation set in as the news was confirmed.

Shona Brash, founding member of the CRA, said: “It makes me very proud of our communities and the way they worked together in opposition of this and to create our own vision for the area.

“We must now look to the future for the site.” East Lothian MSP Iain Gray, who supported the CRA as they brought a petition to the Scottish Government calling for the plans to be halted, said the energy park had been “misguided” from the start.

He said: “This plan was always part of the Scottish government’s energy strategy, which is proving to be highly unrealistic. “This was always a misguided project, of a scale unnecessary for the sector and unacceptable for the local community who made their opposition very clear. “It is very welcome then that common sense has prevailed, and the proposal withdrawn. Local residents will be rightly delighted by the decision.” East Lothian Council said it would be working with Scottish Enterprise, and site owners ScottishPower, along with potential investors and community representatives to secure a sustainable future for the site.

George Kerevan, SNP Westminster candidate for East Lothian, described the decision as a “triumph” for local democracy and common sense.

He added: “We can now focus on a practical redevelopment of the area, on a human scale and creating local jobs.” While David Roach, the Scottish Conservative candidate, added: "The Coastal Regeneration Alliance and local people deserve this victory after all their hard work to get it stopped.

"This news paves the way for the CRA's exciting proposals to turn the site into a 'Tate Modern' for Scotland. I therefore call upon the Scottish Government and the council to help find the necessary funding to make these proposals a reality."

Jason Rose, Scottish Greens Westminster candidate, accused those backing the energy park of handling the idea badly.

He said: “Scottish Enterprise and local and national government have handled the energy park idea badly and their retreat is welcome.

“It is crucial that we empower local people to put forward ideas for the site. In my view, we should be looking to strike a balance between social and environmental amenity and local employment and education opportunities.

“I look forward to hearing from East Lothian Council and the Scottish Government how it intends to repair its relationship with the communities affected.” The CRA has drawn up a Community Charter which it wants to be considered for future plans for the former power station and surrounding lands.

It has also started the first phase of registering an interesting in the community buying the land should it come on the market.

On the CRA’s Facebook page, members were thrilled.

Carol McWatt said “Great news, well done CRA” and Jayne Graham posted “That’s the best news. Thank you so much for all your hard work”.

David Leven, head of energy infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise, said: “Since we started exploring the potential development at Cockenzie, detail around the scale, timing and location of offshore wind projects has changed and become clearer.

“As a result, we believe that the time isn’t right to develop a marine energy park at Cockenzie, and that industry requirements could be met through other sites in Scotland.

“In addition, major inward investment projects require the strong support and backing of the local community in order to be successful.

“We are very aware that there were some concerns from areas of the local community about the scale of the project.” Scottish Enterprise has arranged a series of meetings with community councils and CRA representatives as well as East Lothian Council over the coming days to discuss the decision.