East Lothian Council's Planning Committee has approved a proposed response to plans for a battery storage facility at Cockenzie, subject to conditions.

The application for the facility, which consists of 140 lithium-ion battery containers, requires the consent of Scottish Ministers and is being processed by the Energy Consents Unit (ECU).

The committee initially objected to the plans in June 2024. However, following discussions with the ECU and the resolution of some of the original objections, planning officers recommended no objections to the amended application.


An amendment proposed by Councillor McMillan, seconded by Councillor Yorkston, was unanimously approved, requiring consultation with local community councils should a site safety management plan be required. The amendment also stipulated that the ECU must ensure the site does not pose an unacceptable fire safety risk.

In other business, the committee unanimously approved a change to a condition involving landscaping at the Cala Homes (East) Ltd development in Gullane.

An application to build a new detached house on garden ground at Dirleton Avenue, North Berwick, was refused by the committee. The application had been called off the Scheme of Delegation list due to concerns raised by local residents.