Community’s call for shops

Wester Inch residents’facility call

Residents of a Bathgate housing estate are demanding new shops are built in their area.

Nine out of 10 Wester Inch householders are eager to see retail and commercial facilities in the village centre, according to a new survey.

West Inch Community Association ( WICA) claim that 90 per cent of respondents to their survey want a convenience store, newsagent and a cafe in the estate.

And West Lothian Council has backed those calls after admitting original plans for the site included space for retail units.

Those proposals have never materialised, with the developers, Gallagher Estates and Persimmon Homes, said to have cited a lack of demand.

WICA chair John McLachlan said: “We are aware that many Wester Inch residents feel frustrated at the lack of retail units in the village, and this survey aimed to gauge the potential interest.

“The survey results demonstrate that there is a strong demand for shops in Wester Inch, which we hope will convince interested commercial developers will come forward with plans.

“Thanks to all 665 residents who took part to the survey, which is fantastic response and shows the strong feeling in Wester Inch on this subject.

“With demand high for commercial property in West Lothian generally, and a growing and supportive community on their doorstep, we believe Wester Inch would be a great location for the right business.”

The survey was distributed to all houses in Wester Inch village and generated a very strong response rate of 37 per cent, with 95 per cent of respondents being current Wester Inch residents.

It was carried out amid fears that the developers could wait until their planning permission expires before applying to build more houses.

Most respondents backed some sort of grocery store being built with a post office, bakers, restaurant, pharmacy and soft play also receiving strong support.

West Lothian Council leader John McGinty said: “Thanks to all the Wester Inch residents who took the time to share their views, and WICA for all their hard work in organizing the survey and collating the results.

“We welcome the results of WICA’s Shop Survey Report, which shows a high demand for commercial provision in Wester Inch.

“This supports the council’s own view that commercial space in the village centre was required when the masterplan was created.

“We will now use these findings as a basis for further discussions with the developer, to focus on the building of the long-awaited village centre.”

Anyone interested in developing a commercial property in Wester Inch should contact the council’s Property Management Section at propertymanagement@westlothian. gov.uk or call 01506 281836.

Wester Inch would be a great location for the right business