Council petitioned to formally adopt masterplan for former Cockenzie Power Station site

The plan, revealed in 2017, outlines a potential future for the former Cockenzie Power Station site and was the result of a local authority consultation in 2016 with communities and stakeholders surrounding the site.

In the petition, Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council claims that three years after the consultation, East Lothian Council “continue to go against the wishes and aspirations of our communities and stakeholders by not formally adopting the masterplan, causing division, unrest and anger”.

It says that the council’s “unwillingness to act” has resulted in a number of plans and proposals, including Skyrora’s rocket engine testing facility and Inch Cape’s plan to build a substation, the latter having been approved.

It adds: “The masterplan is our communities’ vision for the Cockenzie site – which includes our communities’ green space, pathways and parklands.

“The masterplan brings leisure, recreation, tourism, industry and jobs whilst protecting our coastal environment and heritage site.”

The masterplan includes the creation of office and retail jobs as well as an “energy quarter”, which would bring renewable energy jobs to the site.

It also includes a “public art installation” similar to the Kelpies in Falkirk, spaces for festivals, markets and other events, and retains the Battle of Prestonpans site.

A community council spokesperson said: “Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council call on East Lothian Council (ELC) to do the right thing and formally adopt the masterplan, which came about through guidance from the Scottish Parliament public petitions committee in 2016.

“At that time, East Lothian Council asked the communities bordering the Cockenzie site for their views on the future of the site through a series of workshops and consultation events for the communities and stakeholders.

“ELC asked; the communities answered; the outcome is the ELC/Peter Brett Cockenzie Masterplan. The Cockenzie Masterplan not only captures the communities’ vision, it has the potential for upwards of 3,200 jobs and also aligns with NPF4 goals.

“Our communities will continue to ask ELC to be as good as their word at the time of our participation in the masterplan consultations – to formally adopt the masterplan so that a template exists for the site which clearly reflects the hopes, dreams and aspirations of our communities.  Where green space and environment are respected, enhanced and sit alongside industry and energy at Cockenzie, as has been the case for decades and generations.

“Had ELC formally adopted the masterplan, Inch Cape would not be located on the coastal frontage of the site, but in Zone 2, the Energy Quarter, and our communities would not have had the division and angst caused by the Skyrora proposal to test rocket engines in the midst of communities.

“This week, we read that a large area of land in the Scottish Borders has been passed to the community at a cost to them of £0 so that their aspirations for the future can be achieved. 

“We ask that ELC either formally adopt the Cockenzie Masterplan or follow that lead and gift the site to the communities.”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “We recognise the importance of the site’s future and remain committed to working with and updating local stakeholders.

“The former Cockenzie Power Station site has significant potential for economic development and employment opportunities. The masterplan report – which reflects this and set out options for a mixed-use site – continues to be an important visionary document.

“Since its publication, Inch Cape Offshore Limited (ICOL) has received planning permission from Scottish Ministers to build onshore transmission works on part of the site.

“Also, the National Planning Framework continues to include Cockenzie as a site of significance for thermal energy generation.

“It remains the case that we need to understand whether there are any implications for the site arising from the next National Planning Framework, as well as from potential future planning policy considerations and further technical work.

“We see the masterplan report as one of a number of important considerations that will inform the council’s input to the development plan process. The council is also determined that further technical work was required on the viability of port-related development.

“Understanding the full implications of all of this is key before the future of the whole site can be determined.”

The plan was originally drawn up by Peter Brett Associates, appointed by East Lothian Council.

The petition can be viewed at change.org/p/east-lothian-council-petitioning-east-lothian-council-to-formally-adopt-the-cockenzie-masterplan