Row over China meeting intensifies

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will fly back from China to face calls for a ministerial statement on her government’s decision to call in a planning application relating to a Chinese-backed wind farm.

The demand for an “urgent” statement at Holyrood was made by Labour after it emerged the Scottish Government had taken control of a planning application associated with the Chinese state- owned State Development and Investment Corporation (SDIC).

The decision was taken the day before the First Minister met with the SDIC on her trade mission to China. The government’s action means it will now have the final say on the planning application for the site of the old Cockenzie power station, rather than East Lothian Council.

The Scottish Government has insisted there is no link between Ms Sturgeon’s meeting and the planning decision.

SDIC’S subsidiary, Red Rock Power Limited, is the owner of Inch Cape Offshore Limited, which plans to build 72 turbines off the Angus coastline.

Electricity from the turbines would be sent to the National Grid via a substation at the East Lothian site.

Scottish Labour’s communities spokeswoman, Monica Lennon, said: “SNP ministers need to urgently explain this disgraceful move to block local people from taking part in a planning decision. This is just another power grab.”