The Scottish government has come under fire after deciding to intervene in a planning application relating to the 784MW Inch Cape wind farm off the Angus coast, bypassing local councillors.

The proposed Inch Cape wind farm is being developed by ICOL, an Edinburgh-based company owned by SDIC Power of China.

Since its initial planning application, Inch Cape has met with local opposition over its onshore infrastructure plans, which the local East Lothian Council has yet to decide over.

However, the Scottish Government has “called in” the application, a power rarely used, and it is now expected to make the decision over the wind farm’s future before councillors.

ICOL’s application covers planning permission in principle, proposing the former Cockenzie power station site as the location for Inch Cape offshore wind farm’s onshore substation. The application was submitted to the East Lothian Council last month after the initial one was rejected by councillors.

Ministers justified the call-in by arguing the development could be of “national importance” because the Cockenzie Power Station site is included in the country’s National Planning Framework.

“This process often takes place for developments of national importance and requires a slightly different decision-making process, however the views of the public and other stakeholders, such as East Lothian Council, will remain central to the decision-making process,” ICOL said in a statement.

Ian Johnson, ICOL project manager, added: “This is not uncommon for a project with such national economic and environmental importance.

“If successful, the project will help achieve the Scottish government’s goals to minimise our reliance on carbon energy but also act as a positive catalyst in the local area as it continues to go through a period of change following the closure of the power station,” he said.

The governing SNP party, however, was immediately criticised and accused of subverting local democracy, as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is currently on a visit to China.

Iain Gray, the Labour MSP, said on social media the move would see the “government trampling all over local democracy”.

Alexander Stewart, for the Scottish Conservatives called into question the timing of the decision, pointing to the First Minister’s trip to China.

Inch Cape is currently under development and is expected to enter construction in 2020.

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Scottish government in row after ‘taking over’ Inch Cape ruling