Proposed housing is given the knock back

Housebuilder Walker Homes has been denied planning permission to build on two sites in West Calder.

West Lothian Council’s Development Management Committee heard presentations from the firm.

In one, they presented detailed drawings of their plans to build 65 homes on a site on the eastern side of Mossend Road. This site will eventually have its own road access onto the A71.

In another, they wanted agreement in principle to build affordable homes on a different site – on the other side of the road, away from the private homes.

The first site is part of the wider Gavieside Core Development Area designated for housebuilding in the West Calder area, the second is classed as countryside and not zoned for building.

Planners recommended rejection because the plans breach regular planning rules.

Walker Homes is supposed to include affordable homes within the larger nine-acre Mossend site.

Some 25 per cent of the development – 22 homes – was to be affordable housing.

Instead the firm put in a second less detailed application for land immediately behind existing homes on Westwood View as the site they wanted for affordable properties.

That proposal brought nine objections from neighbours.

Planning officers told the Development Management Committee that this site, though on the edge of the CDA, was not earmarked for housing.

Walker has consent for 205 private houses in the CDA. In addition to this, affordable provision of 69 homes will be provided on land adjacent to the private units.

Objectors to previous planning applications in Gavieside have been critical of the concentration of affordable housing units away from private homes.

Councillors agreed to back planners refusal of both applications.