Winchburgh plans

Sep 2 2010 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

A MASSIVE multi-million pound development, set to change the face of a West Lothian village, has been approved.

And the scheme for Winchburgh has been hailed as a major boost for the area.

Plans for the new scheme have been approved by the local authority and will bring 3000 new homes and projects to boost transport, infrastructure, education and transport and bring public art and town centre improvements.

The go-ahead has been given for the first 550 houses to be built as part of the first phase of development.

This will result in:

£2.5 million in contributions to secondary schooling in West Lothian,

a £1 million contribution to extend Holy Family Primary School and improvements to the joint Holy Family/Winchburgh Primary School building and grounds,

land for 31 affordable houses to be transferred to the council, together with a financial contribution of £2.08 million for investment in affordable housing in the area,

a contribution towards improvements to public transport, in particular bus routes in the area, and

other contributions to cemetery provision, public art and town centre improvements for Winchburgh.

This week, the scheme was welcomed for the improvements it will bring to the area.

Winchburgh Community Council have given their support to the scheme and say local people are delighted it’s going ahead.

Mary Miller, secretary of the group said: “We are very pleased because it’s now 10 years since the start of the consultation with the public.

“At that time, a ballot was carried out where every house in Winchburgh was asked to vote for, or against, the development and 87.3 per cent of the votes returned were in favour of it.

“Since then, there have been regular meetings between the community council and the developers and consultation with residents in the Tippetknowes and Glendevon areas which are closest to the development area.”

Local councillor Alex Davidson also supports the scheme but said it’s important for developers to ensure the community gets maximum benefit from the development.

He said: “I welcome this but I think it’s important that the affordable housing element is given prominence because there is a real shortage of homes for rent in West Lothian.

“These proposals have been supported by the community and as long as they will benefit local people, I welcome them.”

Among the plans are to build 3450 houses in total and to provide a link to the M9.

Council leader Peter Johnston says the scheme will be a major boost for the county.

He said: “This announcement marks a significant landmark for the village of Winchburgh, and West Lothian as a whole.

“It is an exciting time for Winchburgh and this investment will improve facilities for existing residents and also expand the village, attracting new residents and business to the area.”

It’s expected that the first detailed planning application for new housing, roads and parkland to be formed on the west side of the village will be submitted shortly.

Peter Johnston added: “The development will bring jobs, transport improvements, new community facilities, much needed housing and overall inward investment into the village of Winchburgh and surrounding areas.

“There’s no doubt that West Lothian is suffering from the downturn in the economy, as are all other areas in Scotland. However, we need to look to the long term and ensure that we do all we can to maintain and better job opportunities and growth in West Lothian.

“It is also important that when the economy recovers, the infrastructure and long-term plan is in place to ensure we maximise every opportunity.”