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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
Plans to create 'holiday village' near Edinburgh Pentland Hills refused by council
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 Plans to create a holiday site on the fringe of the Pentland Hills have been thrown out for a second time this year Lucy Crombie lodged an application to build 20 wooden holiday lodges on a site known as the Paddocks. The area of open countryside borders Leyden Road, a narrow, winding rural road bounded by open farmland and woodlands which climbs from Kirknewton up to the main A70 road which skirts the Pentland Hills regional park. The same application was rejected by the Development Management Committee in January last year and an appeal later dismissed by the Local Review Body. One objector called for the council to refuse to decide on the latest filing of the proposals saying they had not changed since the council rejected the same plans last year. And a lawyer suggested the proposal may have come back "to wear down" resistance. Planning officers said the applicant had now supplied supplementary reports which validated councillors hearing the plans again. The latest application attracted 22 objections including one from the local community council and a neighbour Juliet Bentley who lives in the B- listed Ormiston Castle immediately adjacent to the site. (Image: West Lothian Council) Ewan MacLeod of legal firm Shepherd and Wedderburn, acting as agents for Ms Bentley told councillors: 'Both we and our client are surprised that the application has been made to the council. It is identical in all material respects to [the previous] application. 'The application has clearly been submitted within the 5 year window and there has been no change in the development plan or in any other material consideration. The council must therefore consider whether to exercise its discretion to refuse to determine the application.' In its written objection the firm said ' [the] applicant's failure to address the well-founded planning issues raised by local residents and the council's reasons for refusal, we submit that it would be irrational for the council to determine the application.' Mr MacLeod said that if the application was refused ' the applicant can appeal to Scottish ministers and an unelected Scottish Government official can then take a decision which may overturn the democratic will of this committee… If you decline to determine the application the applicant has no appeal.' He said such a decision would also save the council the expenses of defending its decision at an appeal. An agent for the applicant denied planner's criticism of the proposals being "too urban" in appearance, saying that the cabins on the site occupied less than a third of the area. Suggestions that the site would be too visible on the landscape were also questioned. He added that his client was prepared to explore road widening and passing spaces outlined in concerns highlighted by the planners. Planners outlined their objections stating: 'The proposals for the holiday chalets at this location would create a sense of urbanisation within a countryside setting. The Roads Officer would require works to be undertaken in order to improve road safety, including access works, road widening works at five points on the public road and application of a speed limit, to support the proposals. 'Mitigation measures can potentially address road safety concerns (although it is unclear if this will require agreement with third party landowners in respect of road widening works)' Councillor Damian Doran-Timson asked planning officers what had changed in the plans since they were rejected by the LRB in August last year. Planning officer Gillian Cyphus said there had been a lack of information when the proposals had gone to the review body; the slight change now was that drainage reports had been made available. That was why planners had recommended the proposals come before councillors for determination, with the recommendation for refusal. Councillor Pauline Clark said: 'I think we should be encouraging tourists to come here. However I do think access is a big problem. I think the lack of being able to walk to the train station is a problem. I don't know if paths are something that could be sorted. It's major stumbling block She defended the planning appeal procedures of the Scottish Government as democratic. Councillor Doran-Timson agreed with her objections: He said ' We need to do more for tourism and economic development has been a failure, but I think the amount of non conformities we have with the application, not just the paths there's a number of different issues that have me going toward officers' recommendations.' He added: 'Unlike Councillor Clark I share Mr MacLeods concerns about the Scottish Reporter overturns in recent years in West Lothian.' Councillor Pauline Stafford said she had concerns about families with children walking the main road to Kirknewton. 'The nature of the site would encourage people to drive to and from it,' she added. Councillor Willie Boyle said: 'My concern is that this looks like a caravan holiday park rather than holiday cabins you see in rural areas. I think the design is wrong. Councillor Doran Timson's motion to refuse planning permission was backed by Willie Boyle.
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
a day ago
- General
- Daily Record
West Lothian lime trees in historic street saved from the chop
West Lothian Council's Development Management Committee was asked to decide on whether to support the TPO that was imposed in March. A row of lime trees in a historic West Lothian street have been protected by a Tree Preservation Order in a dispute of demand for felling. West Lothian Council's Development Management Committee was asked to decide on whether to support the TPO that was imposed in March. Without councillors backing the TPO would have lapsed in September which could have seen up to six of a line of 10 lime trees in Provost Road, Linlithgow, fall to the axe. A planning officer told the DMC: 'The site is located within the Linlithgow Palace & High Street Conservation Area, and as such, all proposed tree works within this area, first requires notification to be submitted to the council.' A tree works consent notification for the felling of six lime trees at 7 Provost Road, Linlithgow was received on the 13th February 2025. The notification was for the removal of the six trees in settlement of a legal action. A report to the DMC added: 'During assessment of the notification, a visual assessment of the trees was undertaken along with a Tree Evaluation Method for Preservation Orders (TEMPO) assessment. The TEMPO assessment was completed by the council's Arborist and it was determined that the trees subject to the notification, and an additional four others, were found to 'Definitely merit TPO', this was further supported by the visual assessment carried out. 'As a result of this, Tree Preservation Order (No. 1) 2025, 7 Provost Road, Linlithgow was made on the 27th March 2025. The order covers ten Common Limes which form part of a lime tree feature, at the heart of east Linlithgow's historic centre, requiring to be protected due to amenity and contribution to local landscape, which adds to the wooded character and setting of local paths, roads and public realm.' Legal action is ongoing and a separate issue to the confirmation of the TPO, the committee heard. Councillors heard there was one objection to the TPO from a neighbour who claimed that the trees were damaging property. The owners of the trees had applied to the council for a felling licence which prompted the move to the TPO. Councillors heard that the trees were in good condition 'were safe, and in good health despite previous pollard, and without major defect.' The report added: 'The avenue of limes at the site, is a landscape feature of the local neighbourhood, and forms part of the wooded character of this part of Linlithgow. The trees are highly visible from local footpaths, and roads as they take advantage of the rising gradient. 'The lime trees have been previously pollarded and crown lifted, with the epicormic growth managed. In general, Limes are long-lived trees and there is little evidence to suggest the previous works to the trees have been detrimental to the tree health and vitality. 'The objection received relates mostly to the ongoing court action between no.7 and 11 Provost Road. The court action is a separate legal matter that does not form part of the assessment when determining the notification on whether these trees were worthy of a TPO.' It concluded: 'It was considered expedient in the interests of amenity to make the TPO in order to protect these 10 lime trees. It is recommended that this TPO be confirmed without modifications.' The committee agreed to confirm the TPO with question or comment.
