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Planning |
Planning Report - August 2006Over the past few months, there has been a lull in the number of planning applications requiring comment from the Civic Trust, also no apparent progress with a number of the more important proposals previously considered. The Council does not appear to have reached any decision on the Miller Homes proposal for 60 flats at Edinburgh Road, possibly because of new-found worries about educational capacity, and no details of the 66 flats proposed for the abattoir site, Braehead Road (approved in principle by the Council) have yet been received. The most significant recent application relates to a proposal for a house in the vacant site next to the railway at Strawberry Bank. This site has previously received planning permission for lock-up garages. The Trust has, however, been unable to give informed comment on the current proposal owing to lack of details of the siting and appearance of the house and in the absence of the views of Network Rail on having a house so close to the railway! We have expressed the view that, should a house not be possible on the site, then an alternative use such as a public garden should be considered. Members should also be aware that the following proposals are also under consideration by the Reporters on the West Lothian Local Plan (rather than being submitted as planning applications):
Ronald P A Smith BSc MRTPI, LCT Planning Officer |