£150M DREAM FOR VILLAGE
Winchburgh could cash in on proposed council deal
A West Lothian village could be set to benefit from £150million as part of a new deal.
Winchburgh is in line for the multi- million-pound windfall after it was agreed in principle that West Lothian Council would be given the funds in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. The money would be used to build infrastructure in Winchburgh that would unlock the potential to build up to 5000 new homes in the area.
The deal between the Scottish Government and West Lothian Council would help create up to 800 new jobs, plus 300 construction jobs per year. It would allow the council to fund infrastructure projects such as new roads, including a new motorway junction with the M9, a new park and ride facility, a business park and two new schools to accommodate rising pupil numbers.
Such infrastructure will help developers realise pre-existing plans for the area.
The Winchburgh Development, would include a new town centre with retail and food facilities, new health and social care facilities, new schools and a railway station.
Cathy Muldoon, executive councillor for development and transport, said: “This investment has the potential to unlock economic opportunities in West Lothian and help accelerate growth by bringing more homes and businesses
into the area, which will create jobs. West Lothian is one of the country’s fastest growing areas and more and more people are choosing to call West Lothian their home. Inward investment and regeneration of the area is very positive news which will help West Lothian to grow and prosper.”
The broad terms of the deal were announced last Thursday (July 20) and further discussions around the exact details of the funding package will now progress before any future plans are agreed by the council.
Kirsteen Sullivan, West Lothian Council’s depute council leader, said:“The funding will help to unlock economic development land so that the next housing phases can progress.
“This funding is essentially there to kick-start future development in the area. We warmly welcome this announcement, in principle, which could bring a significant amount of benefits to West Lothian in the years ahead.”
She added:“West Lothian Council have been working on the City Deal for some time. We will now take time to look over the fine print before moving forward. However we are, in principle, supportive of this announcement which could herald an exciting time for the local area.”
The announcement was also welcomed by local MSPs who believe the deal can have a positive effect on the local economy.
Fiona Hyslop, SNP MSP for Linlithgow, said:“The Winchburgh Development in West Lothian is one of the biggest developments in Scotland. This marks an important step for the Winchburgh community and I am delighted that the Scottish Government has confirmed that this funding for the Winchburgh Development is one of its key commitments going forward.”
Neil Findlay, Labour MSP for Lothian, said: “This proposed investment for West Lothian and Winchburgh specifically is very, very welcome.
“The proposed investment will help build new affordable homes in Winchburgh for those people in need of a house and boost the local economy by creating jobs in the process. In these times of chastened public investment such a cash injection will I hope provide a much needed boost to the West Lothian economy.”