Non-Food Retail Development
at Falkirk Road, Linlithgow Bridge
Observations
 1. Much of the trade attracted by the development would be diverted from the
existing shops in Linlithgow High Street. The town's supermarkets, particularly
the out-of-centre Sainsbury's, have already led to the virtual elimination of
privately-run food outlets in the town centre, and the proposed retail park at
Linlithgow Bridge would have much the same effect on the non-food shops, such as
those specialising in DIY, plants/flowers, textiles, shoes and electrical goods.
This would result in large-scale shop closures with consequent under-used and
vacant properties, even boarded-up windows and derelict property, all running
contrary to efforts to enhance the conservation area and promote the town as a
tourist destination.
2. Residential development, as proposed in the finalised West Lothian
Local Plan, would be far preferable on the application site as a means of
improving the appearance of the western approach to Linlithgow. Housing has the
potential to create a far higher standard of design and townscape quality than
typical out-of-town retail 'sheds' set behind a sea of tarmac. Subject to its
usual concerns about the general planning of residential development in
Linlithgow, the Civic Trust has already given its support to housing on this
site, and it is believed that a planning application for residential development
is also under consideration.
Ronald P A Smith BSc MRTPI, Chairman
Linlithgow Civic Trust
15 January 2004
|
