Livingston parliamentarians have clashed over a ruling to overturn a council decision and build new homes in Mid Calder.
The town’s Labour MP Gregor Poynton has written to the SNP’s Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance over the Scottish Reporter’s decision to overturn West Lothian Council’s refusal of planning permission for 125 homes at New Calder Mill Road.
Mr Poynton has urged his Scottish Parliament counterpart to publicly oppose the development and press the Scottish Government to revise planning legislation to safeguard local decision-making and environmental priorities.
He said: “This decision disregards local democracy and the environmental importance of this cherished countryside. West Lothian Council has already allocated sites for 17,000 homes, far exceeding its statutory requirements.
“It’s unjustifiable to allow development on this site, which is critical habitat for red-listed species like skylarks, lapwings, and otters.”
He continued: “The Reporter’s claim that East Calder Health Centre can accommodate these additional homes is entirely out of touch. The centre was designed for 7,000 patients but is already serving nearly 20,000. With no funding from the Scottish Government for a new facility, this decision is reckless and will further burden our overstretched NHS locally.”
“This case exemplifies the need for urgent changes to Scotland’s planning system to protect local democracy. It’s unacceptable that council decisions – based on the needs and wishes of our communities – can be so easily overturned.
“I’m calling on Angela Constance to stand with our constituents, oppose this decision, and demand legislative reform to ensure that local priorities cannot be ignored by government-appointed reporters.
“Our constituents deserve to know that their representatives are united in defending their interests. I will continue working with the council and local communities to push back against this decision and protect the interests of everyone across the Livingston constituency.”
West Lothian Council rejected the proposal based on ten breaches of planning policy, supported by objections from 50 individuals and two community councils.
Despite this, the Reporter recommended approval, overruling the Council and community opposition.
In response, Angela Constance said: “As the constituency MSP for Almond Valley, I will continue to represent the views and concerns of my constituents, whether on planning, the environment, and the need for a new health centre in East Calder.
“Reporters from the Department of Planning and Environment Appeals are appointed to make independent decisions, a point that some politicians glide over.
“Nonetheless, following the notification of the Reporters intent to approve the Mid Calder application, there remains an opportunity to make further representations.
It is worth noting that the Reporter was dealing with six appeals for housing developments in West Lothian, five of which have been dismissed and permission refused. These decisions had been sisted whilst the new National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was introduced.
“It is also worth remembering that Labour in the Scottish Parliament voted in favour of NPF 4.
“And if I may suggest to the newly elected MP that he would be wise to spend less time writing to me, and more time representing the broad range of interests in our constituency, as his behaviour simply smacks of diversionary tactics given his failure to vote in support of the West Lothian WASPI women in Westminster last week, and the Labour Government’s abandonment of Winter Fuel Payments.”
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