Welcome – What’s new for Winchburgh FUTURE
A lot has been happening with Winchburgh FUTURE since the consultation events that took place last year. Since the exhibition and workshops our work has focused on the planning application and ongoing Local Plan Inquiry. However, now is an excellent time to update everybody interested in what has been happening.
We would also like to thank everyone who has taken part in the preparation of the Master Plan – either via the website or providing comments at the events last year. Local comments have been immensely helpful and contributed significantly to the shape and content of the future proposals. Our work continues and we hope you all stay involved.
What’s New?
Following the May 2005 Community Workshop we focused on submitting our planning application for the expansion at Winchburgh and the subsequent West Lothian Local Plan Inquiry. The planning application was submitted in August 2005 and the online application documents can be viewed on the reports page.
The WDI is currently involved in the West Lothian Local Plan Inquiry, which continues into early 2007. New on this website:
- Message from CALA
It seems like a long time since the WDI team last was in touch with news about the proposed extension to Winchburgh. However, we have been doing plenty in the background and we thought that it was a good time to bring this site up to date and share progress with you. I am delighted to take the chance to set out a few words directly from CALA.
It must be frustrating and tempting for local people to think that ‘nothing is happening’ and that the developer has just tried to make a good impression at the beginning and is no longer interested. Nothing can be further from the truth! We have been in a period when we have needed to work away behind the scenes without too much visible public contact. The reasons for this are simple.
The planning application was submitted to the Council in September 2005 and there has been a need to answer a large number of questions arising from the consultations that the Council has to carry out; and the fact that the community’s – your - input in the earlier stages of preparing our master plan meant that we were able to adjust our proposals and be satisfied that we had taken on as much as we could by way of changes before the plans were put before the Council.
We are thrilled at the recent appointment of Peter McCaughey as the person responsible for the Community Art Project in Winchburgh and some people might be aware already of Peter making himself known in the village. This project will grow quickly as Peter and his small team familiarise themselves with the community and add a new aspect and strength to the design team.
Elsewhere, we have been and remain involved in the Local Plan Inquiry which is likely to last until February 2007. We have been carrying out work into how best to deal with the unfinished Auldcathie tip and we expect to submit a planning application for this to the Council in the near future. We are also keen to move forward designs for the secondary schools which together are such a vital part of the future community. Finally, we are in detailed consultations with the relevant consultees on the major aspects of providing the motorway junction on to the M9 and a re-opened railway station at Winchburgh and, as part of this, we are involved in the Parliamentary Bill process for the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link.
The people of Winchburgh are vital to the whole process and the interest and enthusiasm has been crucial to how this project has been moved forward. I would like to thank you personally for your contributions which have allowed us to adapt our proposals on the run up to the submission of our planning application. In order to allow this to continue, there is always the opportunity to approach us through this web site or directly by post, the address for which is set out in the ‘Consultation’ page of the website. If you would like to be kept informed directly, we have developed an on-line News register which you can also access via the website.
I look forward to continuing CALA’s and the design team’s contact with you.
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 – get involved and come along to the Outdoor Film Event on the 5th November, at 7 p.m. in Craigton Park.
- 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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