West Lothian Latest News
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Work is continuing to create further social housing across West Lothian. In Livingston, 32 new homes are being delivered by Persimmon as part of their Rosebank Wynd development off Simpson Parkway to meet their Section 75 Affordable Housing obligation. The site as a whole has 140 homes and the 32 council homes set to comprise of 2 x 3 bed wheelchair accessible bungalows, 2 x 2 bed bungalows, 6 x 4 bed end-terrace properties, 12 x 2 bed cottage flats (four in a block) and 10 x 2 bed terraced houses. There is a shared parking court to the rear with an electric vehicle charging point, the larger site will have a play park. Work is already well underway with the council homes anticipated to be completed by March 2026. Executive councillor for housing George Paul, joined council officers on a visit to the site in Livingston where they were given a tour by representatives from Persimmon Homes. Cllr Paul said: “The delivery of new social housing remains an ongoing commitment from the council and the development of new units is progressing well across a number of locations in West Lothian. I was very pleased to witness this myself, when visiting the Rosebank Wynd site in Livingston where we look forward to continue working with Persimmon Homes to deliver 32 high quality homes for social rent.” For more on this site and the council’s new build programme, please visit: https://news.westlothian.gov.uk/article/85678/Additional-homes-to-be-added-to-social-housing-stock
You just need a little room in your heart to give.” – Change lives through fostering with West Lothian Council Ann and Alistair Walker have fostered with West Lothian Council for nearly two decades. In that time the couple from Fauldhouse have looked after nearly 50 children through a mixture of short break stays and over longer periods. Having had 6 children of their own, Ann and Alistair were well versed in family life. As their own children grew up and started to leave home, they spotted an advert that made them make the decision of a lifetime. Read about their fostering journey here: https://news.westlothian.gov.uk/article/85735/You-just-need-a-little-room-in-your-heart-to-give-Change-lives-through-fostering-with-West-Lothian-Council
An update on the development of a new train station in Winchburgh is being presented at next week’s Council Executive. The council’s report confirms that both the Outline Business Case and station design are nearing completion which allows progress to be made with a funding bid for the station. The Outline Business Case identifies the positive benefits of a new railway station at Winchburgh on the Edinburgh – Falkirk High – Glasgow railway line which provide a very positive cost to benefit return. The report details the proposed design for the station and seeks authority to progress a funding application for the station. Network Rail has now finalised the design of the station and it is anticipated that a planning application will be submitted to the council imminently. The proposed design will incorporate a 100 space car park with space for future expansion. The council’s report confirms that: “The Outline Business Case and completion of the station design demonstrate that the station will provide significant benefits to residents of Winchburgh and surrounding areas and does so with a high Economic Present Value of Benefits which is one of the principal measures of the viability of infrastructure investment.” The report confirms that subject to approval by the City Region Deal Joint Committee – which is taking place next week – council officers are seeking approval to progress a funding bid via the City Region Deal. A meeting between West Lothian Council, Winchburgh Developments Ltd, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government’s Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity was held in February to discuss progress for the proposal to deliver a railway station at Winchburgh. West Lothian Council has assumed the role of Co-promoter for the project jointly with Winchburgh Developments Ltd, the main developer for the area. The developer has been working with Network Rail on the design work required to develop a Business Case, which is required to apply for funding for the station. The Business Case will inform a funding application to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.
Update - Cyberattack Investigation work has been ongoing into the impact of the council’s education network as a result of the criminal attack. The council’s education network was the victim of a sophisticated ransomware cyberattack on Tuesday 6 May. This remains a live criminal investigation, and we are working with all relevant external agencies, including Police Scotland and the Scottish Government. It has now (Wednesday 21 May) been confirmed that a small percentage of the overall data stored on the education network has been stolen. We are aware that some personal or sensitive data is among the information stolen by criminals. We have contacted parents/carers at every school in West Lothian to advise them of the data theft, and provide advice on taking extra precautions, as well as Education staff. We would like to offer our sincere apologies to anyone potentially affected by this criminal cyberattack. The education network remains removed from the rest of the council’s networks, and there has been a significant amount of work undertaken by staff to ensure that disruption to education, including SQA exams, has been minimal. Contingency arrangements for schools working well, will continue until the end of the current school term. We will provide updates when further information is available at https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/cyberattack
Garden Waste Permit are still available to purchase. If you do not have a valid garden waste permit displayed from 1 June, only food waste should be placed in your brown bin. Your brown bin will not be emptied if it contains garden waste and you do not have a new permit displayed from 1 June. Permits cost £52.75 per household and are valid until 31 May 2026. It can take up to two weeks for a permit to be delivered, so please order soon to avoid missing collections. You can purchase your garden waste permit here: https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/brownbins or by calling 01506 280000 Thank you to all those who help to recycle household items and waste, such as garden waste. Last year, you contributed to the 12,763 tonnes of brown bin waste that was collected for recycling. Why are garden waste charges now common across Scotland? • The collection of garden waste is not a statutory service, and with reducing budgets and increasing costs, Councils can no longer afford to operate this type of collection as a free service, which is why most Scottish councils have a garden waste collection fee • To retain a garden waste collection service, it was therefore necessary to introduce a charge to contribute towards the cost of its provision. The garden waste permits generate income and 100% of that income is used to provide the garden waste service. There is no obligation to make use of the chargeable service and residents can continue to dispose of garden waste free of charge at the Community Recycling Centres.
West Lothian Council has been granted planning permission to undertake improvement works to Livingston Skatepark. The essential structural and surface repairs will ensure the continued use and preservation of the skatepark. Special permission is required to undertake works on listed buildings and facilities which is why planning permission was required. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) designated Livingston 'Livi' Skatepark as a listed structure at category B last year. The skatepark, which opened in 1981 and was later extended, achieved international renown within the skate scene from its earliest days due to its scale, ambition and quality. Historic Environment Scotland has been consulted on the proposals and has no objections to the development. No public comments have been received on the application. At this stage, design plans have been drawn up and planning permission has been granted. Council officers and the contractor will work on scheduling and agreeing the programme of works which is likely to take place later this year. Once the works are programmed, we will issue further communication to advise on timescales and duration of works. The HES listing describes it as follows: This is a purpose-built, outdoor concrete skatepark in Almondvale Park, completed 1980 and opened 1981 by Livingston Development Corporation to designs by Iain Urquhart (executed by Rainbow Construction Ltd). Later extensions date to 1992 (designed by Kenny Omond) and 2015 (Gravity Engineering Ltd). Located above the south bank of the River Almond, the skatepark has a landscaped setting in public park grounds. The application is accompanied by a survey report undertaken by specialist designers and construction experts, Betongpark, who will undertake the work on behalf of the council. Given the value of the skatepark locally, nationally and internationally, it is important that the quality of the structure is maintained to ensure longevity. Whilst over the years minor repairs to the surface have been undertaken, it has reached a point where repairs of a greater scale are required to certain areas of the park to include replacement of sections (pools). The planning application states that “It is encouraging that the applicant has engaged a specialist to understand and recommend the appropriate restoration and repair works.” Betongpark are a team of designers and construction experts who have experience restoring some of the UK’s most iconic skateable spaces, including Stockwell skatepark and the Southbank Undercroft. They said: "It is a privilege for us at Betongpark to be working on Livingston Skatepark, which is undoubtably one of the most historically significant skateparks worldwide. After decades of constant use and plenty of rain, the skatepark is in need of refurbishment works. "Working closely alongside our engineering team, Skateboard Scotland and the locals at Livingston, we are confident that restorative works will drastically improve the riding experience for visitors. Following a detailed survey of the skatepark conducted earlier this year, we are proposing a variety of tried and tested refurbishment techniques to improve the skateable surface, including concrete polishing as a sustainable alternative to demolition." All works will be compliant with Livingston’s listed status and true to it its original form, designed by the legendary architect Ian Urquhart.
A striking new exhibition that aims to question how we look at art has been opened in The Gallery at Linlithgow Burgh Halls. Beautiful Materials is a solo exhibition of new works by award-winning Glasgow—based artist Nicola Atkinson and can be viewed for free at the West Lothian gallery until Sunday 21 September. The striking exhibition, which extends from the walls of the gallery, including the transformation of a high street bus shelter and people homes, aims to question how we look at art and its materials. More details at https://news.westlothian.gov.uk/article/85850/Beautiful-Materials-exhibitions-lives-up-to-its-name
Planning application submitted for potential 750 new homes in Broxburn A planning application has been submitted by Calton Planning on behalf of M2 Group for a residential led development off Greendykes Road in Broxburn. The proposal is for 503 new homes as part of Phase 1 and up to 247 homes as part of Phase 2, a local centre and open space provision including a gateway park. Please note, this is only planning applications at this stage. As always, this application will be considered in line with planning regulations, and a formal decision will be made at a later date. The plans and supporting documents can be viewed here: https://planning.westlothian.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=SX9UD4RJJUD00
An ace new sporting facility offering three tennis courts and a multi-use games area has opened in Livingston. Registered charity Murieston Tennis and Sports Club (MTSC) held their official opening ceremony recently. MTSC is the result of four years of hard work by a small group of dedicated community volunteers to deliver facilities for healthy activities for all ages and backgrounds and provides opportunities for a range of sports such as tennis, basketball, netball, pickleball and football using their floodlit pitches. Members of the not-for-profit MTSC raised the £350,000 required to deliver the project though a crowdfunder campaign and local donations, as well as £160,000 from West Lothian Council through Place Based Investment programme, and support from sportscotland, West Lothian Development Trust and the Benzies Foundation. A special event was held to mark the opening by West Lothian’s Lord Lieutenant Moira Niven, along with the local community and invited guests. For the full story, please visit Full story at https://news.westlothian.gov.uk/article/85790/Superb-new-community-sports-hub-served-up-for-West-Lothian
Two public drop in events are being held over the development of a new state-of-the-art primary school in Livingston. West Lothian Council intends to submit a planning application for a new £24 million Craigshill Primary School on the site of Riverside Primary School, with pupils and staff from Riverside and Letham moving into the newly constructed school for the start of the academic term in August 2027. The drop in events take place on: • Tuesday 20 May between 3:30pm and 6:30pm at the Riverside Primary School, 14 The Mall, Livingston EH54 5ED. • Wednesday 21 May between 3:30pm and 6:30pm at the Craigsfarm Community Hub, Maree Walk, Livingston EH54 5BP. Exhibition boards outlining the details of the development and representatives of the applicant will be available to answer any questions. The drop in is part of the pre-application consultation process. No planning application has been submitted at this time. A dedicated website will go live from Monday 19 May and can be accessed at https://sway.cloud.microsoft/JBH19mvUvydYQVyA?ref=Link Comments can be made and questions asked at the event, via www.westlothian.gov.uk or in writing to Development Planning, West Lothian Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, EH54 6FF no later than Friday 30 May. Or email: [email protected]. West Lothian Council is funding 50% of the project, with the Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP), a joint scheme between Scottish and local government, providing the remaining 50%. The project will also provide a focal point for families and young people in the area.
