East Livingston and East Calder Local Area Committee Proposed Army Barracks, Kirknewton Report by Head of Planning and Economic

EAST LIVINGSTON AND EAST CALDER LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE PROPOSED ARMY BARRACKS, KIRKNEWTON REPORT BY HEAD OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT A. PURPOSE OF REPORT The purpose of this report is to update the committee on the Army’s proposals for a new army barracks at Kirknewton. B. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that committee notes that: 1) A new army barracks at Kirknewton is proposed. 2) The size and timing of the barracks is not yet known. 3) There will be implications for West Lothian. 4) A further report will be brought to the LAC once more information is known. C. SUMMARY OF IMPLICATIONS I Council Values Being open, honest and accountable; making best use of our resources; and working in partnership. II Policy and Legal (including The announcement about Kirknewton is part of a Strategic Environmental wider strategic defence review carried out by the Assessment, Equality UK Government. Issues, Health or Risk Assessment) III Implications for Scheme of Nil Delegations to Officers IV Impact on performance and Nil performance Indicators V Relevance to Single Nil Outcome Agreement VI Resources - (Financial, Not yet known. Staffing and Property) 1 Z:\Committee Services 2007-2012\LACs\East Livingston and East Calder Local Area Committee\20111215\Kirknewton Army Barracks.doc VII Consideration at PDSP N/A VIII Other consultations Transportation, Public Transport, Environmental Health, CHCP D. TERMS OF REPORT D1 Introduction On 18 July 2011, the UK Government announced the establishment of a new Multi Role Brigade centred on Scotland, as one of five such Brigades UK wide. The Brigade headquarters will be at a new barracks constructed on the formare RAF Kirknewton site to the south of the village of Kirknewton. The site is entirely within the City of Edinburgh Council area but the site adjoins West Lothian on the western and northern boundaries and part of the southern boundary. The main access points from the road network to the site are within West Lothian. No clear timescale for development of the site has been published but current indications are that it will not developed until after 2015. The new Multi Role Brigade will consist of approximately 6,000 soldiers but not all will be based at the new barracks at Kirknewton. It is not clear at this stage how many personnel will be based at Kirknewton but some reports suggest that it could be between 1,000 and 2,000. Three existing Edinburgh bases will close as part of the transfer to Kirknewton. These are: x Dreghorn, currently home to The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, home to approximately 500 soldiers, plus their families. x Redford, currently home to 3rd Battalion The Rifles, approximately 550 soldiers, plus their families. x Craigiehall, currently home to Headquarters 2nd Division. It has approximately 150 soldiers plus their families. The other major development associated with the Multi Role Brigade headquarters is a military training area of up to 30,000 acres. This facility requires to be within two hours travel of Kirknewton and is likely to be on existing Crown Estate land to reduce acquisition costs. More information about the proposals is likely to be announced in spring 2012. D2 Implications for West Lothian It is likely that the development will require planning permission. Crown developments have some permitted development rights but these rights are unlikely to allow the scale of development being suggested. 2 Z:\Committee Services 2007-2012\LACs\East Livingston and East Calder Local Area Committee\20111215\Kirknewton Army Barracks.doc If the development is considered to be of ‘national importance’ or ‘if it is necessary that the development is carried out as a matter of urgency’ any planning application would be to the Scottish Ministers. The City of Edinburgh Council and West Lothian Council would be consulted. There is clearly the potential for significant levels of additional traffic associated with the development involving the movement of heavy vehicles, including troop carriers, tanks and tank transporters to and from the new base. This is likely to impact on the A70, A899, A71, B7031 and other local roads. The level of traffic may be increased further if any part of the training facility is in West Lothian or accessed from West Lothian. The impact on roads will have to be fully assessed. The implications for Network Rail’s proposals for Kirknewton level crossing are not known at this stage. The development is likely to result in increased use of public transport facilities, including bus services and rail services, to and from Kirknewton. The potential for additional traffic at Kirknewton Railway Station and any significant increase in patronage will have to be factored in to the Edinburgh – Glasgow Rail Improvement Project (EGIP). The level of parking provision at the station will require to be reviewed. The funding of any road improvement required will be a consideration as will maintenance of roads if they are subject to increased used by heavy vehicles and tracked vehicles. Noise from vehicles coming and going from the site is likely to be an issue. It is not clear if the base will utilise the existing runway at the airfield for fixed wing movements although it is reasonable to assume that helicopters will come and go from the facility, potentially increasing noise disturbance in the area. The new base will provide opportunities for local firms in procurement of services as the base is constructed. There will be ongoing opportunities for local firms to supply the new base. The base is likely to result in increased usage of leisure, retail and entertainment facilities, particularly in Livingston. There may be some effect on local housing rental and sales markets if personnel relocate to West Lothian rather than continuing to live in off-site accommodation provided for the three current facilities in Edinburgh. There is likely to be an impact on local schools. The level of this impact will to a significant degree be influenced by the number of families who move in to the area as opposed to remaining around the facilities in Edinburgh. Any family accommodation on the base itself would be in catchment areas within the City of Edinburgh. However, any off site accommodation could be within the catchment areas for West Lothian schools. Irrespective of where the accommodation is located, parents may exercise parental choice and seek to have their children placed in West Lothian schools. This could increase pressure in local schools which are already at, or near, capacity. 3 Z:\Committee Services 2007-2012\LACs\East Livingston and East Calder Local Area Committee\20111215\Kirknewton Army Barracks.doc The base could also place pressure on health facilities including local GP and dental surgeries as well as St. John’s Hospital. E. CONCLUSION A new Army barracks is proposed at Kirknewton. Detailed proposals are not yet available. More information is likely to be known by the spring. The proposal will have implications for West Lothian and the East Livingston and East Calder ward in particular. The Local Area Committee will be kept advised of any developments. F. BACKGROUND REFERENCES None Appendices/Attachments: One – Location Plan Contact Person: Colin Miller, Development Planning Manager. Telephone 01506-282420. E-mail [email protected] Steve Field, Head of Planning & Economic Development, County Buildings, Linlithgow. Telephone 01506-282440. E-mail [email protected] Date: 15 December 2011 4 Z:\Committee Services 2007-2012\LACs\East Livingston and East Calder Local Area Committee\20111215\Kirknewton Army Barracks.doc.

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