East Lothian Council has recommended that Scottish Ministers refuse planning permission for an electricity substation on the former Cockenzie Power Station site.

The application for planning permission in principle by Inch Cape Offshore Ltd was initially registered by East Lothian Council as the planning authority in March but called in by Scottish Ministers before a decision could be taken.

The application was deemed to be of national importance due to its connection to electricity generation.

At a full meeting of East Lothian Council this week the council’s official response to the application was agreed along with a recommendation that Ministers refuse the application on the grounds that the development would not make best use of the land available and could prejudice the future development of the site and the economic potential of the area.

The substation, cables and associated infrastructure is to export electricity from the Inch Cape Offshore Windfarm. The application site covers part of the Firth of Forth Special Protection Area and the Firth of Forth Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is also within the boundary of the Battle of Prestonpans site and incorporates part of the John Muir Way.

Environment spokesperson Councillor Norman Hampshire said: “I’m pleased that the council agreed to recommend refusal of this application by Scottish Ministers. The former Cockenzie Power Station site is key for us as a council in terms of the economic development of East Lothian and there are diverse views expressed by local residents and community groups which we would like to take into consideration when deciding the future of the site.

“Whilst recognising the importance of the application is respect of renewable energy, I believe the location and scale of this substation and associated works is wrong and would prevent us from making best use of the site.”

In the event that Scottish Ministers approve the application, the council also agreed to request that conditions be attached to the approval, including: