Controversial substation plans on part of historic battle site set to get green light

The Inchcape Offshore Windfarm proposal would see a new substation built
immediately east of Prestonpans, adjacent to the long-closed Cockenzie
Power Station’s former coal handling plant.

However, it has brought objections from the local community and the Battle
of Prestonpans 1745 Heritage Trust, who say it should not be allowed on the
historic land.

The trust believes that the substation, which would be used to bring
electricity from the offshore windfarm onto the National Grid, could be
built on neighbouring brownfield land, at the coal handling plant itself.

The plant would cover some 2.7 hectares of land and be about 46 metres
long, 11 metres wide and about 14 metres tall – and be enclosed by security
fencing.

On Tuesday, a report on the proposals will recommend that planning
permission is granted in principle for the construction, operation and
decommissioning of the onshore substation, electricity cables and
associated infrastructure required to export electricity.

The report also revealed that Prestonpans Community Council was supporting
the plans for the new substation, while both Tranent and Elphinstone, and
Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Councils had not submitted any comments
about the proposals.

A public meeting organised last week by the Coastal Regeneration Alliance –
a community-led action group – voted to reject the Inchcape plans.

And there has been talk of a protest outside the Town House in Haddington
when the planning committee meets on Tuesday.

Opposition to the development was dealt a blow after Historic Scotland
decided not to object, despite confirming the proposed development was
within the historic battlefield site.

Instead, it has written to East Lothian Council’s planners to say it
believes the impact is “not so adverse as to raise issues of national
significance such as we would object”.

The decision stunned opponents to the substation, particularly the Heritage
Trust whose members expected the agency, which holds a National Directory
of Historic Battlefields, to oppose the plans.

Dr Gordon Prestoungrange, trustee and former chairman of the trust, said
Historic Scotland’s position had left him “incredulous”.

He said: “To suggest the proposal does not raise issues of national
significance is beyond belief, bearing in mind the land itself is listed in
the National Inventory so lately completed.

“We have devoted time and much energy since 2006 to ensuring the
conservation and interpretation of the battlefield.

“At no time has Historic Scotland consulted with the battle trust on site
prior to reaching its conclusions.”

The Battle of Prestonpans is recognised by Historic Scotland as the first
significant conflict in the Jacobite Rising of 1745, resulting in the
defeat of the Government army by Bonnie Prince Charlie and his supporters.

It paved the way for a major escalation in recruitment to the Jacobite
cause and made possible the march into England by the Jacobite army in
November of that year.

Historic Scotland said it welcomed revisions made to the original proposals
by Inchcape, which had moved the substation slightly to the north-west to
avoid crossing the historic Waggonway site which is now a popular pathway.

Historic Scotland told the council: “While we consider there will be an
impact upon the battlefield we recognise and welcome revisions to the
scheme, which have sought to minimise impacts within the limitations of the
land available.”