A public consultation on the new West Lothian Local Development Plan (LDP) is to be held.

The revised plan will set the approach to development for housing, infrastructure and business up to 2024.

The LDP identifies development sites and developer requirements to contribute towards the provision of infrastructure, including supporting the delivery of new schools.

It is understood over 19,000 houses are proposed, with the majority in the Core Development Areas of Armadale, East Broxburn/Uphall/Winchburgh and the Almond Valley at Calderwood, East Calder and West Livingston.

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The plan also supports development at Heartlands in Whitburn and the former Bangour hospital in Dechmont.

Development is to be focused on brownfield land where possible. However, there will still be a need for greenfield sites to contribute towards development requirements.

The LDP proposes to relax the 'area of restraint' in Linlithgow, to allow limited development to be permitted in the future.

Councillor Cathy Muldoon said: "It's fantastic news that West Lothian is a growing area, with investment by developers taking place across the area.

"However it's important that any developments are in the best interests of West Lothian and the LDP sets out the strategic vision across the area."

The six week community consultation will take place in autumn.

It is expected the LDP will be adopted by early 2017, with Scottish Ministers also scrutinising the plan and making recommendations on its content.

(LM/CD)