Alex Neil MSP, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment has officially launched one of Scotland’s largest regeneration projects at Armadale in West Lothian.

This £200m regeneration project is anticipated to see 4,500 permanent jobs created when complete and will deliver 1,000 houses, a hotel, care home, leisure facilities, industrial and office space.

The Cabinet Secretary was joined on-site by the leader of West Lothian Council, Cllr Peter Johnston ; Sandra Carter, director of site developers SDA Ltd and the depute head boy and depute head girl of Armadale Academy, Ewan Prentice and Rachel Valentine, with a time capsule put together by the school for the occasion. Representatives from Taylor Wimpey, Bellway Homes and ASDA were also present.

SDA Ltd, the developers behind Armadale Station Development, recently completed the first phase sale to Taylor Wimpey and Bellway Homes of two housing sites for the construction of 180 houses, with work now starting on the sites and the first houses expected to be occupied in spring 2012. ASDA is expecting to see its new store opened in September 2012, with enabling works currently being undertaken on site.

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It is anticipated that the store of 40,000 sq. ft (gross) will create 150 full and part-time jobs.

SDA Ltd is also working with West Lothian Council on potential proposals to deliver a new primary school to support the next phase of development and ensure that it realises its full potential.

The sale of the two housing sites and the arrival of ASDA marks the culmination of 8 years of hard work by the development team, with significant assistance and support from West Lothian Council, Armadale Community Council and the local community, to regenerate the area. The justification for the railway station itself was the delivery of this masterplan as envisaged through the Council’s development plan.

The success of this project against the backdrop of a severe economic recession clearly demonstrates that Armadale is now considered by many as an ideal location to live and raise a family, start a business and or retire. Its excellent transport routes, superb public amenities and strong sense of community all serve to promote the area.

As the initial phase of the development commences, the developers are keen to keep up the momentum with a planning application lodged in June comprising:

· 394 homes

· Neighbourhood shops next to the Station

· A community building next to the Station which has been designed to incorporate an anchor use such as a nursery or a doctors' surgery, together with smaller units to accommodate, for example, a dental surgery, beautician and/or chiropodist clinics.

· An office building next to the new roundabout on Station Road which has been designed to accommodate either several independent small businesses or a high profile single occupier

· Two mixed use buildings incorporating flats and ground floor commercial units set around the supermarket and Civic Square

Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil said: “I am delighted to launch this project, which is a prime example of how co-operation between the public and private sector can benefit the local community and stimulate the wider economy.

“Continued investment in infrastructure is vital if we are to recover from the current financial difficulties and developments such as this one at Armadale are playing a huge part in that.”

(GK)