West Lothian - Local Plan
Also in this section: Area Geographies | Population | Settlement Populations | | Population Projections
The West Lothian Local Plan was adopted by the council and became operative on 13 January 2009. It provides guidance on the location of development across West Lothian, based on meeting the requirements set by the approved Edinburgh & the Lothians Structure Plan 2015. This is the first district wide local plan for West Lothian. This local plan has replaced the existing previously adopted Area Local Plans covering the Calders, Linlithgow, Livingston, Bathgate and Broxburn.
To access all the local plan inquiry documents, please select the Local Plan Document List in the Online Tools section on the council site at West Lothian Local Plan Page
The Local Plan is underpinned by two strategies. The first is the desire to encourage the economic regeneration of West Lothian. The second is to requirement to protect and enhance the district's built and natural heritage. A further overarching theme is the need to follow the principles of sustainability.
Issues Addressed
The West Lothian population is expected to rise by over 20% by 2031, and the number of households is expected to increase by 35% over the same period (see attached household projection figures for the period 2006-2031).
There is already considerable additional development, and over the period to 2015 there will be a requirement for an additional 16,100 houses. In addition to existing development plans, the Council's 2005 Local Plan also outlined plans for new communities to be developed in the following areas, starting in the year 2011:
- Armadale - 2000 houses
- Winchburgh / East Broxburn / Uphall - 5000 houses
- Livingston / Almond Valley - 5000 houses
This is now projected to increase the number of dwellings in West Lothian from approximately 71,500 in 2006/7 to 95,500 by 2024/5.
Development Areas
Background Information
