Plans to develop 160 new homes on Bathgate's greenbelt have been rejected by West Lothian Council’s planning committee.
Planning officers had rejected the proposals from house builder Taylor Wimpey, arguing the site at Eastoun Farm is outside the settlement of Bathgate and would occupy two open fields. The plans contradict both the existing Local Development Plan and the new National Planning Framework rules brought in in February.
A report to the council outlined that planning permission in principle was sought for the 14 acres of open countryside.
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It added: “The application site comprises two agricultural fields that are bisected by Easton Road. Race Road bounds the northern field at its eastern boundary.
“A residential development is under construction on the opposite side of Race Road. The Sibcas facility is also situated to the east of the site. To the north of the application site are residential properties at Jardine Place. The farmhouse and farm buildings of Eastoun Farm are located to the west of the site. Broadleaved woodland bounds the site to the south.”
The application had brought in 106 objections and an objection from the community council.
Speaking to the councillors on behalf of the community council John MacDonald highlighted concerns about the difficulty in obtaining GP appointments because of the pressure on infrastructure within the town. Other common concerns include pressure on services such as dentists and pharmacies in the town.
Local objectors had also raised issues with the loss of wildlife habitat including trees and hedgerows around the site, as well as the increased dangers of extra traffic.
Mr MacDonald told the council. “ It is a greenfield site. It is not on the local plan for housing and there is not a shortfall in housing land supply.
Mr MacDonald added: “It is a source of very real frustration by the community that their voice does not seem to be heard.
“Local democracy has taken a bashing in recent times which is reflected in the fact that 45% of council planning decisions which were appealed were overturned in 2021/22. That is 164 out of a total of 367 appeals, one of which is Sibbalds Brae in Bathgate.”
He said that this - also from Taylor Wimpey - and other developments, had led to setting up of a campaign to save Bathgate greenbelt.
Robin Holder, an agent for the developer, also highlighted recent cases where the council’s rejection had been later overturned on appeal and added that the developers had obtained the legal support of Kings’ Counsel.
He added: “There were no objections from consultees other than the community council; the site is very well contained and surrounded on three sides by housing.”
Mr Holder disputed the council’s assertion that it had enough land supply to build 12,000 homes in the next five years when legislation requires it to have enough to build 9,000 over 10 years.
House builders calculate land supply differently and Mr Holder argued that there is a shortfall of 2000 homes in the county.
Local Councillor Pauline Stafford asked questions on the loss of hedgerows and traffic around the site and independent councillor Stuart Borrowman, from neighbouring Armadale, asked traffic officials about realigned speed limits if the development was to go ahead.
After a short adjournment councillors accepted Provost Cathy Muldoon’s proposal to back planning officers, recommendation for refusal.
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