Lack of GPs scuppers new homes plan

A bid to create an extra 75 homes in Armadale has been knocked back after councillors agreed GP provision in the town needs to be improved.

Avant Homes has lost its bid to build extra homes on its Standhill development – where they already have permission to build 300 new homes.

West Lothian Council’s Development Management Committee rejected the plan to extend the development after hearing that a review of health care had only just got underway across the Lothians and it is unlikely any plans will be ready before March next year.

Head of Planning, Craig McCorriston, said that NHS Lothian had not identified a need for capital spending on the Armadale facilities and so planners could not ask developers for funding.

Any changes that could be made to surgery provision include extended opening hours and virtual consultations.

Armadale’s surgery was designed to accommodate 10,000 patients – it now has 13,000.

Local councillor Stuart Borrowman said:“Those 3000 additional patients didn’t arrive overnight.

“They have been accumulating for the best part of a decade or so and the planning system and health planning system seem not to have taken that into account.”

He added:“NHS Lothian strategy is more based on don’t trouble your doctor, go somewhere else, go to your pharmacy, go online.

“Since we’ve had 70-odd years of the National Health Service, it’s going to take a long time for people to start eschewing calling their doctor.

“I wouldn’t want to say to people in Armadale‘a planning decision has been made because you’ve not to trouble the doctor.’

“We are in a serious situation in terms of local health provision here.

“We all have stories about the enormous stresses on individuals. I really feel that [with] the whole system, without ascribing blame anywhere, it’s premature to say yet more houses in Armadale is something that simply can be borne.”

Councillor Willie Boyle said:“It’s about the impact of the 75 houses and the loss of amenity.

“The NHS has made a clear statement that any increase would make a difference.

“I have real issues around the loss of amenity.

“The infrastructure should be there before the development.”

Avant’s planning application had been continued from September to get answers on healthcare proposals, and also on how extra traffic would affect the town.

Roads officer Chris Nicol said drivers would face longer queues but the lights would be on green longer than red.

Councillor Borrowman said he was not critical of roads staff who are working with a layout built, in its current form, in the Victorian era, but he added:“Turning right on South Street is not for the timid.”

He proposed the rejection of the application, adding the number of houses to the Standhill site. He was seconded by Councillor Boyle and that was backed by committee.

After the meeting Councillor Borrowman said:“I feel facilities in Armadale haven’t been keeping pace with the growth of the town.

“I’m particularly concerned about local health provision, already 30 per cent over design capacity.

“The health authorities have only just begun their planning process to address these issues here and elsewhere in West Lothian and say it’ll be March at the earliest before they complete that exercise.

“We should certainly give them that time before adding to the pressures.”