East Lothian Labour Party has given its full backing to demands for the SNP Government to reverse its call-in of the Inch Cape planning application for an electricity substation at Cockenzie.

Local party members unanimously passed an emergency motion on the issue declaring that decisions on the site’s future are best taken locally and urging the SNP to reverse the decision to call-in the application.

The party has also launched a petition aimed at SNP planning minister Kevin Stewart MSP demanding that he return the right to decide on the application to local councillors.

Iain Gray MSP said:

“Local Labour members share the widespread disbelief and anger at the SNP’s undemocratic decision to call-in this application. They have given their backing to the calls made by myself, Martin and members of the Labour Group to reverse the move and give control back to local people.

“The SNP have a long track record of making unwanted and undemocratic decisions about East Lothian’s future. We are clear that they have overstepped the mark this time. They need to listen to local people and return the right to make this decision back to local councillors and communities.”

Brian Weddell, Chair of Prestonpans Branch Labour Party, who moved the motion, said:

“The SNP’s decision to call in this planning application has thrown the future of the Cockenzie power station site up in the air. Only weeks after we had finally secured public ownership of this incredibly important resource, communities now face further uncertainty about what will happen with the site.

“SNP Ministers should admit they have got it wrong and hand the decision on the substation back to East Lothian Council. That is what our petition demands and we are setting out to obtain as much support as possible from local people for that position.”

The petition can be signed online at www.change.org/p/kevin-stewart-msp-hands-off-cockenzie