Designs are to be drawn up as part of proposals to transform a former hospital site in West Lothian.

GVA James Barr has been appointed by NHS Lothian to develop a masterplan for the Bangour site.

Bangour stopped operating as a hospital site in 2000 following the relocation of health services in the area.

While plans for the future of the land are developed, a number of community consultation events will be held over the coming months to allow the team to gather feedback to help shape the look of the site. The first event will take place on Friday 6 February at Dechmont Community Hall.

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Following the consultations, a formal application for Planning Permission in Principle will be submitted to the local authority in late spring/summer 2015.

Alex McMahon, Director of Strategic Planning, Performance Reporting and Information, NHS Lothian, said: "We carried out a thorough selection process and are delighted to have appointed GVA James Barr to take this exciting project forward.

"We are in the initial planning stages of a process which could see the currently desolate Bangour site transformed into a thriving new community.

"We have attempted to market this site previously and hope that this new approach will enable us to find the most appropriate use for a very unique and beautiful site in West Lothian."

Peter Carus, Principal Planner, Planning, Development and Regeneration, GVA James Barr, added: "This is a fantastic opportunity and we are delighted to have been appointed to be part of the Bangour Project.

"We will consult extensively before finalising any ideas and proposals for the site which we would then intend to formalise in a planning application for Planning Permission in Principle to be submitted to West Lothian Council in the summer of 2015."

(JP/IT)