Local Councillor for the Preston, Seton and Gosford ward, Councillor Lachlan Bruce, has responded with disappointment to the decision of the Scottish Government to grant approval for Red Rock to build on the site of the former Cockenzie Power Station.

Lachlan said,

“I’m really disappointed by the decision of the reporter and the minister, Kevin Stewart, to give approval to this planning application. I strongly feel it is the wrong decision for the people of Cockenzie, Port Seton & Prestonpans. Losing this vital part of the Cockenzie site would have a damaging effect on the aim of creating jobs and is not the right course of action, particular when there are other areas of the site the substation easily could go.

“This whole situation has been a farcical from the moment the Scottish Government decided to call the application in taking it away from local decision makers.

“I think that the both the reporter and Minister should have given more weight to the views of the local communities which is that the Cockenzie site should be protected for job creation. That is still my aim and objective for the site.”