Outrage as build plan appeal goes ahead
Community vow to fight on against housing proposals
A small West Lothian community have launched a fight against plans for a new housing estate they say will blight the area.
People living in Murieston have hit out after an application for 280 houses at Wellhead Farm was refused by West Lothian Council, but allowed to go to appeal by a reporter appointed by the Scottish Government.
The reporter has issued a Letter of Intent to allow the appeal and grant planning permission in principal, subject to planning obligations.
Local people fear the development, by Wallace Land Investment, will now go ahead despite the numerous objections they have raised.
Murieston Community Council have launched a petition demanding First Minister Nicola Sturgeon intervenes and calls in the reporter and at the end of last year held a meeting attended by over 200 people.
Ian Brown, planning secretary at Murieston Community Council, said residents in the area have been advised that the planning appeal could potentially be approved by the Scottish Government.
He explained: “Murieston Community Council were dismayed that the appeal process for Wellhead Farm, Murieston has fallen in favour of the developer and will potentially allow the building of 280 houses through Phase 1 and 2.
“In line with the general feelings of the community, the community council hosted a public meeting on December 7 in Williamston Primary School.
“Around 200 people attended the meeting, which would appear to contradict the reporter’s comments within his report: ‘I do not consider the small number of properties affected or the degree of such an effect would engage a significant public interest.’
“In reality, it is not just the residents of Murieston who would be affected given the pressure this would apply to the already creaking local infrastructure such as schools and railway stations.
“The reporter’s notice of intent flies in the face of the Scottish Government’s commitment at their 2016 conference which stated that ‘ the best people to decide the future of our communities are the people who live in those communities’.
“This site is not in West Lothian Local Plans and does not make a realistic contribution to the affordable housing needs of West Lothian.
“Murieston Community Council does not support this development, which will set a precedence to the erosion of the countryside belt around South Livingston.”
Ian continued: “This situation again highlights the failings within the existing planning system.
“Unfortunately, the Scottish Government ’ s proposed stance within the new planning regulations does not provide any third party recourse to appeal against a planning decision.
“The Scottish Government proposes to give community councils a greater say in planning.
“However, the government does not provide the significant financial resources required to allow community councils to challenge developments.”
The Courier understands the reporter has now accepted additional material from West Lothian Council which supports the council’s argument regarding housing land supply and denominational schooling. As a consequence a final decision will not be made until this material is assessed.
A spokesperson for West Lothian Council said: “The council refused the application as it was significantly contrary to the development plan and is disappointed with the reporter’s intention to allow the appeal.
“The council is particularly disappointed with the reporter’s dismissal of the most up to date evidence on the need for housing in West Lothian, and progress made to forward fund infrastructure to support development of housing sites, which, unlike Wellhead Farm, are supported by the council. We have lodged updated evidence supporting its position and asked the reporter to reconsider his intention based on this updated information.”
Local councillor and council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick added: “I was astounded by the reporters’ decision.
“There was significant consultation with the community and they totally object to it.
“I have written to the First Minister and asked her to call it in.”
MSP Angela Constance said she had also made the “strength of feeling” in the community known to planning officials in the Scottish Government.
She continued: “As the local constituency MSP, I met with the Chief Reporter to discuss this appeal and have written to the Planning Minister and civil servants to ensure that they understand the strength of local feeling.
“Scottish Ministers can call in applications and recall appeals but this power is only used sparingly and when it is clearly in the national interest.”
“There is a clear need to reform our planning system at a local and national level.
“Consequently, a planning bill has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament for consideration.”
To sign the community council’s petition visit http:// murieston.communitycouncil. org.uk/wellhead-petition/