Are we there yet?
Anybody would be forgiven for asking that and the answer that we are able to give is “soon”. But just as the back seat passengers would not accept that as an answer, let us try to explain what has been happening since the last time that the web site was updated.
We intend that this site should advise everyone about progress on the Winchburgh development proposal in an open way. However we have not wanted to create news just for the sake of it and over the past two years, the planning system has been continuing to move forward in its necessary and predictable way – and this is hardly newsworthy. In turn, that has meant that there has been little to report on this site and we have been concerned that the impression might be given that the project was faltering. Not so. It is simply that stage in a development when a lot of time has to be given to working on the background detail, whether it be for the Council as planning authority, for consultees or on occasions attempting to find answers to local issues that have been raised by residents.
So where are we and what can you continue to find on this site? Nothing has changed in the library of information and documents that can be browsed. All of the background, the consultation responses and the formal planning application submission are still there. You can still comment on any aspect of the proposal through the Consultation page and register to be kept advised directly. All of the comments are read and acted on where possible; it is not feasible to start giving answers on the page itself.
As many local folk will know, there has been a change of land ownership in that the site now is owned or controlled by LXB, a company which in turn has entered into a Joint Venture development agreement with CALA. We are very pleased at this change, which brings together expertise from both sides and means that the development is in very good hands to move forward when the necessary consents are in place. You will find a new link to the LXB site on the Links page. The CALA outline planning application is not being altered and remains before West Lothian Council. We know that a number of changes will be needed to satisfy the planning authority – it was always described as a draft Master Plan – and these will be brought forward as we are asked for them.
So what else? Reading the old text, it is difficult to believe some of the changes that have happened.
- The Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (EARL) Project, on which the team spent a lot of time in 2006/2007, did not survive the new Government policies and was abandoned. We do not see this as a difficulty for the challenge of re-opening a rail station at Winchburgh as the alternative proposal, to open a station at Gogar which would serve Edinburgh Airport, still requires the main Edinburgh – Glasgow rail line to be switched on to the line north of Winchburgh and then by way of a new stretch of line, the Dalmeny Chord, north of Kirkliston. We continue in discussion with the main parties who would be involved with making a station happen.
- The Forth Replacement Crossing project has caused us to look again at the design and timing of creating an all-ways junction on to the M9 at Duntarvie, as shown in our Master Plan. While we all await the reports which are due in the Autumn, we are pleased that this major project of national importance to Scotland does not appear to prevent a junction as we have planned it and revised submissions have been invited by and lodged with Transport Scotland to confirm.
- Auldcathie has been a mixed blessing to Winchburgh over the years. It was a good source of employment while it was active, but a source of many complaints since it closed. CALA took on the comments and concerns given during the consultation process and submitted a planning application to West Lothian in January 2007. This proposes the restoration of the former landfill site, including capturing the gas to produce electricity and its eventual use for recreation and open space. We need to remediate this land before the new secondary schools can be occupied and are pleased that the Council is supportive of what we are proposing. We are optimistic that planning permission will be granted for this at the same time as the main project.
- Winchburgh will have been well aware of Peter McCaughey having become a part-time member of the community over the last two years. Peter is the artist who was chosen by CALA and West Lothian Council to carry out a community art project in the village - see the link in the Consultation page. Although Peter’s formal work has ended as it was a short-term commission, he has developed strong ties to the village and would like to both continue to offer advice and see his ideas brought to life. For many people, the most obvious signs of his work were the two public community events on Guy Fawkes’ night 2006 and 2007, when outdoor film projections were held and hundreds of people stayed on to watch, after the fireworks. Peter’s successful work has been recognised as being in the top group of such projects in the UK and we are delighted to have been able to help to bring that about. Thank you to everyone who agreed to be captured on film and who became part of the project.
- Sustainability and energy conservation has become a major issue of public and political concern since the project started – but we were always committed to that, so no real changes will be required to the application or Master Plan. The Council has responded correctly to increasing pressure at Scottish national level by aiming to ensure that our proposals, when they reach the point of details in later applications, are as sustainable as they can be within the scope of what is reasonably possible. CALA always looks to ways to minimise the impact on our environment and to make life better and less costly for the people who will occupy the new homes and other buildings, including the schools.
- Finally, the Local Plan – which controls everything. The Inquiry lasted until February 2007 and the Reporters gave their recommendations to the Council in March 2008. In June 2008, the Council Executive approved a large number of modifications to the Finalised Local Plan. The Reporters had accepted Winchburgh as a major and necessary component of the Local Plan and key to the delivery of the wider strategy which was based on Core Development Areas providing the housing numbers and infrastructure investment. Reports are available on The Council’s web site at www.westlothian.gov.uk.
The timing for the next stages cannot be guaranteed but after the period for objections to these post-Inquiry modifications ends on 1st September 2008; the Council’s Scrutiny Committee proposes to consider a report on any valid objections on 27 October 2008 followed by the full Council approving that on 11 November 2008. It then appears that the Council will be moving to adopt the Local Plan in February 2009. CALA's outline planning application will not be considered before that process has been completed.
There is a lot to take on here and we hope that this update is helpful. The Timeline section of this site has been adjusted to bring things up to where we are just now and we will make sure that further alterations, events and milestones are included when they happen.
Rod Howat
Planning Manager
CALA
- WDI Planning Application, view the Master Plan documents. The issues raised during the consultation events has been documented in a Consultation Report which supports the planning application;
- Primary School Projects, read the postcards from the children. The WDI’s work with the Lighthouse (Scotland’s Centre for Architecture, Design and the City) and the local primary schools can be viewed online and is reported in the Consultation Report;
- Community Art Project, learn more about Peter McCaughey’s work.
- Community Project - The WDI was invited by the Winchburgh Community Council to present to the primary schools in Winchburgh. The aim of the presentation was for the pupils to come up with a list of appropriate place and street names for the expanded Winchburgh. The presentation involved a number of guest speakers. All of the names suggested by the school children will be added to a complete list compiled by the Community Council and submitted to WLC.
- Online News Register, if you wish to be kept informed and receive future information from WDI please register. Winchburgh settlement expansion is an ongoing project and is by no means complete, WDI views it as work in progress and looks forward to continual input/comment from those who are interested in what happening with WDI. We look forward to receiving your comments by post or on-line, as we remain fully committed to involving local people throughout the preparation of the plans for the extension of Winchburgh. The success so far of the consultation and community interest is felt by CALA to be a major factor in raising awareness and gaining support for the development.
What will you find on this website?
This website sets out our vision and presents our ideas and plans so that local people and interested parties can comment easily on the emerging proposals.
Also included now on the website are descriptions of the various collaborative projects WDI has been involved in with the Primary Schools and WLC with the Community Art Project.
As the project progresses, the website will be used to keep people informed of changes to proposals and to make available reports and plans.
On this website you will find:
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