Up to 600 homes could be built on land to the north of Drumshoreland Road, Pumpherston after West Lothian Council's Development Management Committee granted planning permission.

The permission is will be issued when a legal agreement, which will ensure that affordable housing and improvements to schools and roads are delivered as part of the development, has been signed. The site, which extends 58 hectares, includes areas of poor quality land which was previously used for industrial uses, including shale oil production. The application, submitted by Pumpherston Estates and West Lothian Council includes a mix of housing, including social housing, a distributor road, structural landscaping, realignment of rights of way and the realignment of Drumshoreland Road.


Chair of the Development and Management Committee, Councillor Alex Davidson, said: "The proposed development is in accordance with the development plan and will represent a major part in the council's housing strategy. It is particularly welcome as it will bring areas of brownfield land which are close to good public transport services, back in to use.

"New wildlife habitats will be created and existing wildlife on the site, including a population of great crested newts, will be protected as part of the development."

(CD)