Two mammoth blue prints which set out plans to transform Calderwood, East Calder and the village of Winchburgh have been given approval.

The plans could result in up to 2,300 homes being built at Calderwood and over 3,400 at Winchburgh, creating thousands of jobs and providing a huge boost to the local economy.

25% of the new houses on both developments will be affordable with most of these being for social rent.

At a meeting of the Development Management Committee this week (Wednesday 12) planning permission in principle was granted for a mixed use development at Calderwood that includes housing, commercial and industrial units, recreation facilities, retail use, community facilities, landscape, open space, primary and secondary schools and road and service infrastructure.

The approved application site extends to some 210ha and comprises of largely agricultural land to the east of East Calder on both the north and south side of the B7015. It is the land on the north side of the B7015 on which the residential properties are proposed. This part of the site will also accommodate a local centre, two primary schools sites, two local parks, a neighbourhood park, other open space areas and, landscaping and land for a new cemetery. The site on the south side of the B7015 will accommodate a new non-denominational high school, employment land, landscaping parallel with the A71 to screen Camps Industrial Estate.

-- Advertisement --

The developers at Calderwood will also provide an expanded park and ride facility at Kirknewton Railway Station to accommodate up to 300 parking spaces. A number of improvements will also be carried out on the A71 including works at Wilkieston to accommodate a bypass road linking the A71 to the B7030.

Meanwhile, the council has confirmed that agreement has been reached to allow planning permission to be granted for a major expansion of Winchburgh. Together with new housing the planning permission includes a new motorway junction on the M9, a new secondary school campus and new primary schools, improvements to create a new town centre, land for a partnership centre and remediation of the former Auldcathie land fill site. The developer will also build a new railway station, if a station is approved by Transport Scotland.

The improvements in Calderwood and Winchburgh will be fully funded by the developers. Work on both sites is expected to start in 2012.

Martyn Day, Executive councillor for development and transport, welcomed the news. He said: "These are fantastic developments which will help to create new homes, new jobs, new schools and new facilities.

"West Lothian welcomes the right development in the right place and the proposals for Calderwood and Winchburgh demonstrate that, even in difficult economic times, the council and the development industry can work together to deliver vital economic growth for the area. The council looks forward to building its relationships with the developers in the coming years to deliver quality homes, infrastructure and facilities which future generation can be proud of.

"Over recent years, many West Lothian towns and villages have benefited from new large scale developments, such as this. I believe it emphasises that West Lothian is an area that attracts new business, new investment and is continually looking to strengthen its position as one of Scotland's leading areas for economic growth."

(GK)