Petition to oppose greenbelt development

Concerned residents in West Lothian have launched a petition after plans for a new housing development were revealed.

The Courier reported last week how the planned residential development east of Livingston will include new 2000 homes, with 500 affordable ones.

The proposed land is situated at the current Clapperton poultry farm complex, in fields behind Almondell and Calderwood Country Park.

The residents say they moved to the area to live rural and that any development would infringe on privacy and also damage wildlife.

The petition says:“We are a small community around this site who moved here to live in a country setting and not in a housing estate.

“The impact on wildlife will be immense. Living in the area now are badgers, deer, hares, bats, barn and tawny owls. They will lose their habitats. At least two of these species are protected.

“A lot of the land around the area has been lost recently to development and we cant allow these animals to lose any more. There are many migrant birds that stop off to fuel up before carrying on their journeys. We have loads of swallows and house martins that return every year to nest in the farm buildings.

“The added impact on infrastructure will also be immense. The primary school won’t cope with numbers.

“Roads will need to be widened and more trees will be cut down. We need to stop this before it goes any further.”

A West Lothian Council spokesperson said:“The proposed development for Clapperton is currently at the pre-application consultation phase. Anyone with views on the development can engage with the developer to make their views known.

“There will be opportunity for residents to comment on the planning application if an application is submitted to the council following the pre-application consultation stage.”