WORK is set to begin on the creation of a new link road through the former Cockenzie Power Station in East Lothian to prepare the site for redevelopment.
East Lothian Council is delivering the project alongside Hub South East, with Balfour Beatty appointed to lead the works.
The project will get underway in September, with the new road linking the Alder Road junction on the B6371 approach to Cockenzie with the existing B1348 road. Much of the route will follow an existing service road to the former coal plant and be complemented by a lane, largely set back from the main roadway, to encourage safe walking and cycling. Construction is expected to be completed in August 2025.
Once complete, the next phase of the redevelopment of the site will involve transferring earth from the bunds surrounding the former coal store, across the Edinburgh Road to infill the void in the power station site. This will create a level platform for further development. This phase of the works is due to be completed in spring 2025.
The following phase will involve the removal of the largest bund on the coal store site and the demolition of concrete structures on the site. The council explained that this phase cannot cannot start until spring 2025, following the completion of bat surveys and the implementation of any replacement habitat that may be required as a result of the surveys.
East Lothian Council leader, councillor Norman Hampshire, said, “This is a huge step forward in realising the council’s ambition to make this site attractive to commercial businesses to locate here. The site was purchased in 2018 and a vision was developed to create employment opportunities as well as enhancing the site for the benefit of the local community. That remains our vision but there has been a lot of necessary site evaluation, planning and now remedial work that needed to be completed first. It is a very exciting time as we move into this next phase of development on a key site in East Lothian and it was great to be able to share that progress with our new MP Douglas Alexander.”
“We also talked about the enormous amount of progress being made at our new town at Blindwells which will attract investment and jobs to East Lothian.”
Greig Jamieson, commercial director at Hub South East, added, “We have a successful partnership spanning more than a decade with East Lothian Council and we’re proud to be entrusted with its latest project in Cockenzie, supporting the transformation of the site for future redevelopment, ultimately enabling growth and benefiting the local economy.
“We’re excited that work will soon begin on the ground and we look forward to assisting the council with future phases as the development progresses.”
