East Lothian Council is advancing plans to determine a hyperscale information centre on the previous coal retailer web site at Cockenzie. Partnering with Sustainable Growth Capital LLP (SDCL), the council envisions a enterprise promising native jobs and long-term investments.
The envisaged centre will occupy a part of the previous coal web site, permitting the rest, together with the facility station’s footprint, to be open for future tasks. A rigorous planning course of awaits, offering the general public an avenue to voice opinions on the proposal.
Anticipations recommend an annual timeframe to finalise authorized agreements earlier than statutory public consultations begin. The council expressed intent to interact the area people early within the undertaking’s lifecycle, with upcoming plans to be outlined quickly.
Following a aggressive tender, SDCL emerged as the popular companion. This choice course of was detailed in a confidential report back to the council in February 2025. A number of operators expressed curiosity in Cockenzie’s potential, prompting the council’s determination to undertake a radical supplier choice by way of tendering.
East Lothian Council’s Financial Growth spokesperson, Councillor John McMillan, commented on the undertaking’s preliminary part, expressing the potential for vital web site redevelopment. Past funding and employment prospects, he highlighted potential instructional and coaching advantages in collaboration with native entities.
Jonathan Maxwell, Founder and CEO of SDCL, emphasised the importance of Cockenzie’s wealthy power historical past and its position within the industrial sector. He envisions the undertaking as a pivotal alternative within the new industrial age, forecasting financial features and job creation.
