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East Lothian Council's bid for £11.3 million of UK Government's Levelling Up funding for the regeneration of the former Cockenzie Power Station site has been successful.
The site was purchased by the council to support future economic growth and to create employment opportunities.
A submission was made to the Levelling Up Fund to secure funding in support of the site's regeneration and making it developable.
Funding will be used to:
• Remove the bunds from around the former coal store increasing the area that is developable and improving access
• Use bund material to infill the hole where the former power station building was sited to create a level, developable platform
• Infill the former underground power station cooling ducts
• Repair the sea wall and make flood protection improvements
• Make improvements to the John Muir Way along the promenade area of the site.
The council will be working up plans for this in due course and consulting and working with nearby communities.
Council Leader Norman Hampshire said: "We're absolutely delighted that the council's bid to secure funding from the Levelling Up Fund has been successful. The former Cockenzie Power Station site has significant potential in terms of helping to boost the local economy, creating high-quality employment opportunities and delivering sustainable growth.
"We're determined to ensure the site benefits the local community and reflects community aspirations to provide jobs in the area. There is a lot of work to do in the months and years ahead but securing this funding is the next step towards progressing the site for future development. It is a very exciting prospect."
Councillor John McMillan, Cabinet Spokesperson for Economic Development, added: "The successful Levelling Up Fund bid is excellent news for East Lothian. It is a further step forward on the way to achieving our ambitions for economic growth in the county.
"It is also testament to the vision of former Council Leader, the late Willie Innes, who believed the former Cockenzie Power Station site would have a key role to play in creating employment opportunities locally."
