Adoption of the LDP 'Proposed Plan'
Adoption of the local development plan required the endorsement of Scottish Ministers.
There had been an expectation that the council would receive confirmation as to whether or not it could proceed to adopt the plan within 28 days of submitting it to Scottish Ministers but in the event the time available to make a determination was extended under section 20 (4) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.
On 27 June 2018 Scottish Ministers issued a Direction under section 20(5) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 inviting the council to consider modifying the LDP in accordance with the requirements of an accompanying Annex. As a consequence, the council was unable to adopt the plan until these modifications were made to the satisfaction of Scottish Ministers.
A report on the Direction issued by Scottish Ministers under section 20(5) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 was considered by the Council Executive on 21 August 2018 and it was agreed to make the modification that had been requested.
The council went on to adopt the West Lothian Local Development Plan on 4 September 2018, replacing the previous West Lothian Local Plan 2009 with immediate effect.
Any person aggrieved by the Adopted Local Development Plan and who wished to challenge its validity were afforded a period of six weeks from the date of adoption to make an application to the Court of Session under Section 238 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. In the event, no such challenge was lodged.
As a consequence the LDP now forms part of the Development Plan for West Lothian along with the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) for Edinburgh and South-east Scotland.
The adoption of the West Lothian Local Development Plan marked the final stage in a long and detailed process and provides the council with a development strategy and policy framework for the next 10 years which will enhance the environment, guide future housing, economic and retail development, new transport links, schools and other infrastructure and will be the basis for determining planning applications in West Lothian.
In addition to being made available online the LDP can also be inspected at West Lothian Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, EH54 6FF during normal opening hours (Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5.00pm and on a Friday from 8.30am to 4.00pm).
