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Edinburgh Reporter
17 hours ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian could see another 12,500 homes built in the decade to 2038
West Lothian could see another 12,500 homes built in the decade to 2038. And communities have told planners that a more diverse choice of homes – including more bungalows- are needed to meet the needs of an ageing population. A full meeting of West Lothian council agreed to approve the first stage of a new Local Development Plan as a blueprint for the future look of communities. National planning demands call for West Lothian to have another 9.850 homes by 2038, but planners raised that to more than 12,000 having accepted community calls for greater diversity of house styles, including more bungalows as well as more smaller homes to allow downsizing among a growing elderly population. There has also been a call for more affordable housing. This initial stage known as the Evidence Report now goes to the Scottish Government for approval. It sets out where development should take place and what is needed to accompany that development. Councillors gave cautious welcome to the proposals but aired concerns about health care provision and transport infrastructure, both of which dominate the conversation on existing housing development proposals. Earlier worries that they would not have enough time to work through the hefty document's 1,000 plus pages were allayed. Linlithgow Lib Dem Sally Pattle had, at a recent meeting, warned that developers 'would be watching us like hawks' as she stressed the need for councillors to 'get things right' in the plan. She told the meeting: ' After being slightly alarmed a couple weeks ago I'm pleased to say I have had some really good discussions with officers and I really wanted to say extend my thanks for the time that they have provided me with in the last couple of weeks so that I understood the process and am a lot clearer about what is going happen going forward. 'I am now reassured that we have to get this evidence report in I understand the tightness of the timescales we are up against I also have been reassured that we just at the beginning of this process. 'As long as we all keep working together, we'll be able to get there with the best outcome for West Lothian so thank you very much.' Proposing a motion accepting the paper council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said; 'We are taking a big step forward; it has required a significant amount of work by council officers. I'm glad to note there has been massive interaction between officers and councillors with regard to queries. I move that we accept the recommendation which includes the corrections to be included.' Planning officers stressed that the Evidence gathering had consulted communities on their hopes and expectations for the future. The final Local Development Plan which has to be in place for 2028 should reflect those community demands. A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: 'We would like to thank everyone who engaged in the process that has enabled planning officers to prepare this evidence report. It is important to stress this is an early point in the process of creating a new Local Development Plan for West Lothian. 'Completion of this gate check process will then allow planning officers to prepare the first draft of the new local development plan for West Lothian. This process will once again require extensive engagement with key stakeholders and local communities and the council will once again be calling on members of the public to participate. Details of how you can get involved will be shared in due course.' The latest information on LDP2 can be accessed via the West Lothian Council website: By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
West Lothian could see another 12,500 homes built by 2038 under development plan
A full meeting of West Lothian Council agreed to approve the first stage of a new Local Development Plan as a blueprint for the future look of communities. West Lothian could see another 12,500 homes built in the decade to 2038. And communities have told planners that a more diverse choice of homes - including more bungalows- are needed to meet the needs of an ageing population. A full meeting of West Lothian council agreed to approve the first stage of a new Local Development Plan as a blueprint for the future look of communities. National planning demands call for West Lothian to have another 9.850 homes by 2038 but planners raised that to more than 12,000 having accepted community calls for greater diversity of house styles, including more bungalows as well as more smaller homes to allow downsizing among a growing elderly population. There has also been a call for more affordable housing. This initial stage known as the Evidence Report now goes to the Scottish Government for approval. It sets out where development should take place and what is needed to accompany that development. Councillors gave cautious welcome to the proposals but aired concerns about health care provision and transport infrastructure, both of which dominate the conversation on existing housing development proposals. Earlier worries that they would not have enough time to work through the hefty document's 1,000 plus pages were allayed. Linlithgow Lib Dem Sally Pattle had, at a recent meeting, warned that developers ' would be watching us like hawks' as she stressed the need for councillors to 'get things right' in the plan. She told the meeting: ' After being slightly alarmed a couple weeks ago I'm pleased to say I have had some really good discussions with officers and I really wanted to say extend my thanks for the time that they have provided me with in the last couple of weeks so that I understood the process and am a lot clearer about what is going happen going forward. 'I am now reassured that we have to get this evidence report in I understand the tightness of the timescales we are up against I also have been reassured that we just at the beginning of this process. 'As long as we all keep working together we'll be able to get there with the best outcome for West Lothian so thank you very much.' Proposing a motion accepting the paper council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said; ' We are taking a big step forward; it has required a significant amount of work by council officers. I'm glad to note there has been massive interaction between officers and councillors with regard to queries. I move that we accept the recommendation which includes the corrections to be included.' Planning officers stressed that the Evidence gathering had consulted communities on their hopes and expectations for the future. The final Local Development Plan which has to be in place for 2028 should reflect those community demands. A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: 'We would like to thank everyone who engaged in the process that has enabled planning officers to prepare this evidence report. It is important to stress this is an early point in the process of creating a new Local Development Plan for West Lothian. 'Completion of this gate check process will then allow planning officers to prepare the first draft of the new local development plan for West Lothian. This process will once again require extensive engagement with key stakeholders and local communities and the council will once again be calling on members of the public to participate. Details of how you can get involved will be shared in due course.'
Edinburgh Live
a day ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
West Lothian could see another 12,500 homes built by 2038 under development plan
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info West Lothian could see another 12,500 homes built in the decade to 2038. And communities have told planners that a more diverse choice of homes - including more bungalows- are needed to meet the needs of an ageing population. A full meeting of West Lothian council agreed to approve the first stage of a new Local Development Plan as a blueprint for the future look of communities. National planning demands call for West Lothian to have another 9.850 homes by 2038 but planners raised that to more than 12,000 having accepted community calls for greater diversity of house styles, including more bungalows as well as more smaller homes to allow downsizing among a growing elderly population. There has also been a call for more affordable housing. This initial stage known as the Evidence Report now goes to the Scottish Government for approval. It sets out where development should take place and what is needed to accompany that development. Councillors gave cautious welcome to the proposals but aired concerns about health care provision and transport infrastructure, both of which dominate the conversation on existing housing development proposals. Earlier worries that they would not have enough time to work through the hefty document's 1,000 plus pages were allayed. Linlithgow Lib Dem Sally Pattle had, at a recent meeting, warned that developers ' would be watching us like hawks' as she stressed the need for councillors to "get things right" in the plan. She told the meeting: ' After being slightly alarmed a couple weeks ago I'm pleased to say I have had some really good discussions with officers and I really wanted to say extend my thanks for the time that they have provided me with in the last couple of weeks so that I understood the process and am a lot clearer about what is going happen going forward. "I am now reassured that we have to get this evidence report in I understand the tightness of the timescales we are up against I also have been reassured that we just at the beginning of this process. 'As long as we all keep working together we'll be able to get there with the best outcome for West Lothian so thank you very much.' Proposing a motion accepting the paper council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said; ' We are taking a big step forward; it has required a significant amount of work by council officers. I'm glad to note there has been massive interaction between officers and councillors with regard to queries. I move that we accept the recommendation which includes the corrections to be included.' Planning officers stressed that the Evidence gathering had consulted communities on their hopes and expectations for the future. The final Local Development Plan which has to be in place for 2028 should reflect those community demands. A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: "We would like to thank everyone who engaged in the process that has enabled planning officers to prepare this evidence report. It is important to stress this is an early point in the process of creating a new Local Development Plan for West Lothian. 'Completion of this gate check process will then allow planning officers to prepare the first draft of the new local development plan for West Lothian. This process will once again require extensive engagement with key stakeholders and local communities and the council will once again be calling on members of the public to participate. Details of how you can get involved will be shared in due course.' The latest information on LDP2 can be accessed via the West Lothian Council website:
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
West Lothian disabled veterans facing eviction 'must be offered new homes'
Conservative group leader and ex-RAF serviceman Councillor Damian Doran-Timson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service said he understood the financial problems the charity faced but was 'dismayed' at the sell-off plans, and called on it to reconsider. The Conservative leader on West Lothian Council has called for disabled veterans facing eviction to be offered a home for a home. Linburn estate at Wilkieston has been home to tenants of Sight Scotland Veterans - formerly Scottish War Blinded - for decades. The decision to sell off large parts of the estate for housing development affects a total of 13 residential properties on the site, including seven veterans with vision impairment and six private tenants. Conservative group leader and ex-RAF serviceman Councillor Damian Doran-Timson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service said he understood the financial problems the charity faced but was 'dismayed' at the sell-off plans, and called on it to reconsider. 'I met with Sight Scotland last week and listened to their views and whilst I believe they do need to look at revenue and income, I request they look at any other options they may have. 'As part of the sale to a developer, I ask the charity to include the clause that like for like houses are built for those that currently live at Linburn and the developer/housing association manage the properties that the current residents are in.' The charity has told residents to find new homes within a year as it revealed plans to sell the land for development. It comes after Sight Scotland Veterans faced losses of more than £18m over the last four years. The charity stressed it was working with residents and no one was facing immediate eviction. Veterans said they fear spending the rest of their lives on the housing waiting list which already has around 11,000 names. West Lothian Council confirmed that no plans for development had been lodged. The news earlier this week prompted the Leader of the Council Lawrence Fitzpatrick to write to the Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, asking him to 'intervene immediately and help these veterans'. Councillor Doran-Timson also called on Sight Scotland help the Military Museum of Scotland, located on the estate, to relocate if it has to. He added: 'As I have been for a number of years, I am still pressing the council to also identify land in West Lothian that can host the Military Museum.' Founder and curator of the museum, Ian Inglis, told the LDRS that the letter from Sight Scotland had been ' a bit of a shock' but was not unexpected. And he vowed: 'Military Museum Scotland will not close and we will continue our work with veterans.' He said: 'There is no guarantee that housing will be built there, however it has been on the council's Local Development Plan for over 10 years. 'All I have been told is that we have about a year to leave as the land is being sold to help fund Sight Scotland. 'If we were to move out in a year, I think we would have to close the museum now and start packing. That is out of the question as we have bookings right up to the end of the year, and I will not disappoint anyone by cancelling their booking.' Mr Inglis added: 'We have needed a much larger premises for years, we have been looking, but now the pressure is on. There is a place out there with our name on it, we just have to find it. We will be officially launching our campaign next week to try and find somewhere and to raise funds to help with a move. 'Sight Scotland veterans have to do what they have to do to survive as they do great work helping and supporting veterans, as we do. 'It's just a shame that they feel the need to evict veterans from their homes and to evict another Veterans Charity to do that.' Craig Spalding, Sight Scotland Veterans Chief Executive, said: 'Selling the land will secure the financial future of the charity. However, it will mean that the existing housing on the site will need to be demolished. 'We recognise that we have a duty of care to the existing tenants and are committed to finding each tenant alternative living arrangements that are as good as, if not better than, their current accommodation. 'The proceeds from this sale will enable us to continue providing life-changing support at our Linburn Centre, as well as preserving and strengthening the essential services we provide across the country.' Mr Spalding added: 'We recognise that this decision will unfortunately impact current estate tenants, including veterans with vision impairment, and have extended the notice period to a full year. We wish to make it clear that no one faces immediate eviction. 'The charity is committed to working closely with each tenant to help them find suitable alternative accommodation and minimise disruption by offering personalised support through our Financial Well-being service. We informed the tenants of our long-term intentions at this stage; in order to start a conversation with each tenant to understand their specific needs so we can support them effectively.' Councillor Fitzpatrick told the LDRS: 'This must be a very worrying time for the veterans and their families and it is very upsetting to hear that they are being faced with such an uncertain future at Linburn, along with the museum and veterans centre who do a wonderful job. 'I have written to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Ministry of Defence to ask them to intervene immediately and help these veterans. It cannot be left that veterans - who have proudly served their country - are left facing eviction from a community that they belong to.' A council spokesperson told the LDRS: 'The council has not received a planning application or granted consent for the redevelopment of the veteran's village at Wilkieston. However, we are preparing a new Local Development Plan. 'Through the 'call for ideas' part of this process we have been made aware by Sight Scotland that they wish to dispose of this site for market and affordable homes. 'We are currently reviewing all proposals submitted to the 'call for ideas' to see if they are suitable for development. A proposed plan will be published in due course.'
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Call for disabled veterans facing eviction to be offered ‘a home for a home'
The Conservative leader on West Lothian Council has called for disabled veterans facing eviction to be offered a home for a home. Linburn estate at Wilkieston has been home to tenants of Sight Scotland Veterans – formerly Scottish War Blinded – for decades. The decision to sell off large parts of the estate for housing development affects a total of 13 residential properties on the site, including seven veterans with vision impairment and six private tenants. Conservative group leader and ex-RAF serviceman Councillor Damian Doran-Timson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service said he understood the financial problems the charity faced but was 'dismayed' at the sell-off plans and called on it to reconsider. 'I met with Sight Scotland last week and listened to their views and whilst I believe they do need to look at revenue and income, I request they look at any other options they may have. 'As part of the sale to a developer, I ask the charity to include the clause that like for like houses are built for those that currently live at Linburn and the developer/housing association manage the properties that the current residents are in.' The charity has told residents to find new homes within a year as it revealed plans to sell the land for development. It comes after Sight Scotland Veterans faced losses of more than £18m over the last four years. The charity stressed it was working with residents, and no one was facing immediate eviction. Veterans said they fear spending the rest of their lives on the housing waiting list which already has around 11,000 names. West Lothian Council confirmed that no plans for development had been lodged. The news earlier this week prompted the Leader of the Council Lawrence Fitzpatrick to write to the Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, asking him to 'intervene immediately and help these veterans'. Councillor Doran-Timson also called on Sight Scotland help the Military Museum of Scotland, located on the estate, to relocate if it has to. He added: 'As I have been for a number of years, I am still pressing the council to also identify land in West Lothian that can host the Military Museum.' Founder and curator of the museum, Ian Inglis, told the LDRS that the letter from Sight Scotland had been ' a bit of a shock' but was not unexpected. And he vowed: 'Military Museum Scotland will not close and we will continue our work with veterans.' He said: 'There is no guarantee that housing will be built there, however it has been on the council's Local Development Plan for over 10 years. 'All I have been told is that we have about a year to leave as the land is being sold to help fund Sight Scotland. 'If we were to move out in a year, I think we would have to close the museum now and start packing. That is out of the question as we have bookings right up to the end of the year, and I will not disappoint anyone by cancelling their booking.' Mr Inglis added: 'We have needed a much larger premises for years, we have been looking, but now the pressure is on. There is a place out there with our name on it, we just have to find it. We will be officially launching our campaign next week to try and find somewhere and to raise funds to help with a move. 'Sight Scotland veterans have to do what they have to do to survive as they do great work helping and supporting veterans, as we do. 'It's just a shame that they feel the need to evict veterans from their homes and to evict another Veterans Charity to do that.' Craig Spalding, Sight Scotland Veterans Chief Executive, said: 'Selling the land will secure the financial future of the charity. However, it will mean that the existing housing on the site will need to be demolished. 'We recognise that we have a duty of care to the existing tenants and are committed to finding each tenant alternative living arrangements that are as good as, if not better than, their current accommodation. 'The proceeds from this sale will enable us to continue providing life-changing support at our Linburn Centre, as well as preserving and strengthening the essential services we provide across the country.' Mr Spalding added: 'We recognise that this decision will unfortunately impact current estate tenants, including veterans with vision impairment, and have extended the notice period to a full year. We wish to make it clear that no one faces immediate eviction. 'The charity is committed to working closely with each tenant to help them find suitable alternative accommodation and minimise disruption by offering personalised support through our Financial Well-being service. We informed the tenants of our long-term intentions at this stage; in order to start a conversation with each tenant to understand their specific needs so we can support them effectively.' Councillor Fitzpatrick told the LDRS: 'This must be a very worrying time for the veterans and their families, and it is very upsetting to hear that they are being faced with such an uncertain future at Linburn, along with the museum and veterans centre who do a wonderful job. 'I have written to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Ministry of Defence to ask them to intervene immediately and help these veterans. It cannot be left that veterans – who have proudly served their country – are left facing eviction from a community that they belong to.' A council spokesperson told the LDRS: 'The council has not received a planning application or granted consent for the redevelopment of the veteran's village at Wilkieston. However, we are preparing a new Local Development Plan. 'Through the 'call for ideas' part of this process we have been made aware by Sight Scotland that they wish to dispose of this site for market and affordable homes. 'We are currently reviewing all proposals submitted to the 'call for ideas' to see if they are suitable for development. A proposed plan will be published in due course.' By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
