HOPES of a film studio being built on the site of the former Cockenzie Power Station have been dealt a blow after the Scottish Government announced plans to base a national studio at Leith Docks.

The possibility of the studio coming to Cockenzie had been under discussion following the collapse of plans to build it in Midlothian.

At a meeting of Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council last Tuesday, ward councillor Neil Gilbert told people who were keen to push the studio forward that it was “high on the agenda”.

But Screen Scotland has revealed it intends to create a new film studio in Leith at the former home of wave energy company Pelamis.

The announcement is understood to have taken East Lothian Council by surprise as it had been holding talks with the Government agency on the potential for Scotland’s first national film studio to be based at Cockenzie.

A council spokesperson said: “It is disappointing that this announcement does seem to suggest that the former Cockenzie Power Station site has been ruled out as a potential location for a new film studio for Scotland, as the site had been highlighted to Screen Scotland.

“We are seeking clarification on the criteria and decision-making process. In the meantime, we will of course continue to explore all other options for the future use of the site.”

At the community council meeting it was claimed that there were drawings which showed the proposed development would “fit perfectly” on the coal plant areas of the Cockenzie site.

Local resident David Ostler said he and others had been holding talks about setting up an association to focus on the film studio.

He said the community council’s vision of flooding the power station footprint and creating a marina would have provided a “perfect wet stage” for any production.