New £5m partnership centre given approval

Plans for a new £ 5million partnership centre for a West Lothian community have been approved.

The proposals would see the new partnership centre in Whitburn being developed through a revamp of the Burgh Halls.

West Lothian Council’s Executive Committee rubber-stamped the plan and agreed that current community engagement will be progressed further.

The council will now engage an architect, quantity surveyors and technical advisors to finalise the plans and submit the planning application in spring 2017.

The proposals include the creation of an open plan area for visitors which in c o r p o rat e s the council’s Customer Information Ser vices ( CIS) office, including Access2employment , together with a library and community museum.

The community hall would be moved to the front of the building and have access to a kitchen.

The first floor would provide modern office accommodation for Housing Services and a number of other council and potentially partner services.

Leader of West Lothian Council John McGinty commented: “The approval for the proposals for a new partnership centre in Whitburn to move forward is a fantastic step forward in the regeneration of the town centre and other community facilities.”