A PETITION launched by a local heritage group has been turned down by East Lothian Council, causing more frustration over the first phase of the naming consultation on the county’s new town at the former opencast mine at Blindwells.

The Battle of Prestonpans 1745 Heritage Trust petitioned the council to ensure that the history of the battle be considered when proceeding with the consultation process.

The trust wants the new town to be called Charlestoun in reference to Bonnie Prince Charlie.

The land upon which the new town will be built includes part of the site of the battle, where the prince’s Jacobites prevailed over Government forces.

Dr Gordon Prestoungrange, chair of the battle trust, said in a letter to the council: “Under the provisions of the 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act, the council must always take this national heritage asset into account when making any related decisions.

"The opportunity for the coming generations in the county to better understand and appreciate their heritage is at the heart of our trust’s work since 2006.”

The petition was turned down by the council. It informed the trust that the naming consultation process was already under way, which included an aspect of public consultation, therefore creating an alternate process for the trust’s position and preferences to be put forward.