Nobody believes East Lothian Council (ELC) is serious about developing a port on the old Cockenzie Power Station site: not the maritime expert whose advice was ignored; not our neglected communities; not the local politicians who were terrified of the idea; not Forth Ports who monopolise our river system; not the workers looking for local jobs.

At every port tack, ELC acted in its own interests, a bureaucratic course plotted with a chart borrowed straight from Yes Minister. A mainsail of excuses was raised and anchor dragged across timescales as the project was nudged into the doldrums.

Years have been wasted needlessly navel-gazing on the National Planning Framework. While East Lothian paused to ponder, the outside world moved on. The port project has effectively been scuttled by the energetic inertia of local officialdom.

Brexit brought the need for direct ferry routes to Europe from Scotland into sharp focus, but nothing stirred in Haddington. Our council slept through the freeport debate while other areas submitted plans. The need for onshore port facilities to support wind farm developments blew past without comment. Now Fife is showing the leadership required for a new ferry route at Rosyth. Only now, when the port debate is over, does our council lift a token eyelid.

The half-hearted letter to Forth Ports asking for support seeks only their rejection. Our council is effectively encouraging Asda to veto another Lidl development. There is no incentive for Forth Ports to get involved unless their commercial position is under threat. Only a serious proposal from a committed team would shift this offshore company’s snout from a deep trough of vested interest.

It was clear to new port supporters early on that the experience to take this project forward did not exist within ELC, hence our call for the establishment of a port steering group that so panicked council officials. Consequently, elected members will be presented with a dud deal to reject. Councillors are being played for fools by their officials.

Despite early warnings, the power station site was purchased with little consideration given to the liabilities. The £15m that ELC needs for land preparation should have been paid in full by ScottishPower. Public money may be available to support a strategic national investment. I doubt the UK taxpayer will stump up that sum with no plan in place for the site.

ELC was sold a brownfield pup; unfit to rent with no funding to restore. It’s taken four years just to rule a port out with no alternative in sight. Genius. Pity local workers who have been cast adrift on a cruel sea of deceit.

Calum Miller

Polwarth Terrace

Prestonpans