LIVINGSTON SOUTH LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE (LAC)

SITE AT – ALMONDVALE ROUNDABOUT SOUTH WEST, LIVINGSTON

REPORT BY HEAD OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

A. PURPOSE OF REPORT

The purpose of this report is to:

x advise the Committee of the terms of an approved planning brief for a site at Adambrae, Livingston; and

x outline how matters can be moved forward.

This report has been prepared at the request of the Chair of the LAC.

B. RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that the Committee notes that:

x an approved planning brief exists for the site and that the site remains in council ownership;

x the brief accords with the adopted Local Plan;

x the planning brief will form part of any marketing particulars for the site;

x the site does not currently benefit from planning permission;

x the allocation of the site for development under the terms of the West Lothian Local Plan (and the terms of the planning brief) can be reviewed within the context of the emerging West Lothian Local Development Plan (LDP); and

x the site forms part of the council’s planned capital receipts programme.

C. SUMMARY OF IMPLICATIONS

I Council Values Focusing on our customers’ needs; being honest, open and accountable; making best use of our resources and working in partnership.

II Policy and Legal (including The site is identified for development in the West Strategic Environmental Lothian Local Plan as a site for town centre Assessment, Equality uses. The council adopted the local plan on 13 Issues, Health or Risk January 2009. Assessment) There are no SEA, equality, health or risk assessment issues associated with the planning brief. The West Lothian Local Development Plan will be the subject of SEA.

III Implications for Scheme of As an approved planning brief exists, the Delegations to Officers Estates Manager has delegated authority to market the site when appropriate.

IV Impact on performance and Preparation of a development plan for West performance Indicators Lothian is a statutory requirement. Local authorities are required to review and update such plans at least every five years.

The site is allocated for development under the terms of the West Lothian Local Plan (WLLP).

The WLLP is now the subject of review and will in time be replaced by the West Lothian Local Development Plan (LDP).

V Relevance to Single Outcome 10: We live in well-designed, Outcome Agreement sustainable places where we are able to access the services we need.

Outcome 12: We value and enjoy our built and natural environment and protect it and enhance it for future generations.

VI Resources - (Financial, The site forms part of the council’s capital Staffing and Property) receipts programme which forms part of the funding resources which support the council’s capital programme.

VII Consideration at PDSP As the brief is consistent with the terms of the West Lothian Local Plan and did not raise any policy issues, there was no requirement to report to the Development and Transport Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel. A planning brief for the site was approved by the Council Executive on 28 June 2011.

VIII Other consultations Education, NETS and Land Services, Transportation and Finance and Estates Services were consulted in the preparation of the planning brief.

Local members, , and Community Councils, and adjoining proprietors at Bluebell Glade, Livingston were consulted on the terms of the planning brief. All comments were reported to the Council Executive of 28 June 2011.

Finance and Estates have been consulted on the preparation of this report. D. TERMS OF REPORT

BACKGROUND

The Adambrae site is located on the south western edge of the Almondvale Roundabout at the junction of Charlesfield Road and Alderstone Road. The site lies within the south west corner of the Livingston town centre envelope as identified in the adopted West Lothian Local Plan 2009 (WLLP).

Under the terms of the WLLP the site is allocated for town centre uses. Such an allocation allows for a broad range of uses including retail, leisure, offices, business, recreation and housing (including flats) - these are reflected in the approved planning brief.

Objections were received to the brief and were considered by the Council Executive of 28 June 2011. The objections related to:

x loss of “green belt” and amenity; x adverse impact on wildlife, quality of life and property values; x density of development; x adverse impact on traffic, particularly on the Almondvale Roundabout; x increased congestion; x the proposed new footpath connecting Adambrae with the site; x the availability of business, office and warehouse space elsewhere in the town should be considered rather than developing the proposed site; and x adverse impact on local amenities and lack of school capacity.

The brief was amended to reflect objections and was approved by the Council Executive having taken into account objections received, including a petition and deputation. A copy of the brief is attached as Appendix One.

The purpose of the planning brief is to inform potential purchasers and/or developers of the site on the nature and form of development appropriate for the site as part of any marketing exercise. Currently, there is no planning permission in place to develop the site and no planning applications have been lodged for development.

A decision on marketing could be informed by a review of the allocation of the site for development. This review would be undertaken in the context of the West Lothian Local Development Plan (LDP).

The WLLP is now the subject of a review and will in time be replaced by the LDP. The first stage of the LDP is to prepare a Main Issues Report (MIR). The current timetable is to publish a MIR in Autumn 2012 although this may change as progress on the LDP is dependent on progress with the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) which has only recently been submitted to Scottish Ministers for Examination. The terms of the SDP will inform the LDP.

E. CONCLUSION

The Adambrae site is allocated for development under the terms of the WLLP. The site remains in council ownership and is the subject of an approved planning brief. The site does not benefit from any planning permission. A review of the site could be undertaken within the context of the emerging West Lothian LDP. There will be an impact on the capital programme should the council decide not to progress with marketing the site. F. BACKGROUND REFERENCES

West Lothian Local Plan, January 2009

Report to Council Executive, 28 June 2011 - Draft Planning Brief for a Site at Almondvale Roundabout South West (Adambrae), Livingston.

Appendices/Attachments: One Contact Person:

Fiona McBrierty, Principal Planner, Development Planning, 01506 282418, email [email protected]

Steve Field, Head of Planning and Economic Development, County Buildings, Linlithgow, EH49 7EZ, email [email protected]

27 August 2012