West Lothian Council has rejected a bid to build 300 homes because it would intrude into the countryside.
The council rejected the plans from Taylor Wimpey on Thursday November 18 for the site at Brotherton Farm in Livingston.
Taylor Wimpey proposed to build approximately 300 new homes, including 25 per cent affordable options, with associated infrastructure and landscape which would be accessed by pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles directly off the A71.
The construction firm say that if successful they would have employed nearly 400 people for the development, with 289 construction jobs and another 99 supply chain jobs.
As the plans shows there is development is currently under construction by Miller Homes to the east of Brotherton Farm for 150 houses and to the south of the proposed site Barratt Homes are building 190 units.
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The proposed development site was located immediately west of Brotherton Farm, which is on the south-western edge of Livingston, near to Polbeth.
To the west of the site a narrow rocky watercourse – Harwood Water – flows approximately south to north through a narrow river valley – Limefield Glen - which is lined with woodland including broadleaved and coniferous seminatural woodland.
However, a report by West Lothian Council’s development committee recommended that the plans be rejected ahead of the council making the final decision this week.
A spokesperson said: “The proposal is contrary to Policy 1B of the Strategic Development Plan for Edinburgh and South East Scotland. The site is a predominantly greenfield site located outwith the settlement envelope of Polbeth and Livingston on land designated in the adopted West Lothian Local Plan as countryside belt.
"The proposal would constitute an unjustified intrusion into the countryside belt and have a significant adverse impact on the strategic purposes of this designation.”
