Call for East Lothian not to be identified as 'Greater Edinburgh'

The call came as councillors were given an update on the Edinburgh and South East of Scotland City Region Deal, which will see more than £50 million in grants awarded to projects across the Lothians this year alone.

One of the projects highlighted as receiving major investment was the development of a food and drink hub at Queen Margaret University in Musselburgh, referred to as Edinburgh Innovation Park.

At a meeting of East Lothian Council last Tuesday, concerns were raised about the name of the park, with Councillor Craig Hoy calling on officers to ensure East Lothian received recognition.

He said: “Edinburgh Innovation Park is a missed opportunity for East Lothian to showcase itself.

“I appreciate it is hugely important to benefit from our proximity to Edinburgh but I also think a project of this much importance, given it is in East Lothian, does get recognition. It tells people we are open for business.

“I would encourage officers to ensure we are identified as East Lothian and not seen as greater Edinburgh.”

However, Councillor Norman Hampshire, depute council leader, said that the name of the park was “purely a commercial decision”.

He said: “When you are speaking to anyone about investing, the name Edinburgh is recognised across the world.”

Douglas Proudfoot, the council’s head of development, reassured members their concerns were being raised. He said: “We have certainly made representations on behalf of East Lothian and elected members.”

The innovation park and former Cockenzie Power Station, as well as the planned new town at Blindwells, are all being weighed up for investment from the city deal.

Councillors were told the findings of a technical report on the feasibility of a port or cruise terminal at Cockenzie were due to be reported back before the end of the year.

Work is already under way at Blindwells, where the first phase of the new town is expected to see 1,600 homes built.