Plans to redevelop a former factory site in Livingston for housing have been rejected by West Lothian Council. Persimmon Homes had applied for planning permission to redevelop the site of the former Ethicon factory on Simpson Parkway in the heart of Livingston.
Housing Crisis and Employment Land Conflict
Agents for the house-builder argued that the plan would help ease the housing crisis in Livingston South, the ward with the highest demand for council homes. A quarter of the proposed 168 homes would have been made available to those on the housing list. However, planning officers stressed that the site in Kirkton, Livingston, was zoned as employment land and should be maintained as such.
Senior planning officer Gillian Cyphus stated in a report to the Development Management Committee: "The proposals relate to the redevelopment of a brownfield site within the Kirkton Campus employment area of Livingston for the construction of 122 houses, 46 flats and five small commercial units which provide the facility for local shops, and a unit set aside for community use."
Planning Policy and Prematurity
Cyphus noted that the new Local Development Plan, expected to be adopted in 2028, could include a policy to convert employment land to housing land. However, until that plan is decided, the proposal contravenes existing regulations. The report added: "Until there is a change in allocation in LDP2, which has not yet been published, then the application is premature and the site cannot be considered in the right location."
Agents for Persimmon said that if the application were accepted now, the homes could be built and available to those on the housing list by 2030. The Ethicon plant, which manufactured medical supplies for Johnson and Johnson, closed in 2019, and the site was cleared. Property agent Colliers has been marketing the site since then with no tangible interest.
Community and Council Response
The site is bounded by trees, and Persimmon's plan included bungalows, flats, and houses. The report stated: "The application is for housing on a brownfield site within the Kirkton Campus employment area of Livingston. Whilst it is technically possible to develop the site for housing, and the application has provided a design and layout which is acceptable, the principle of utilising the site for residential rather than employment uses is unacceptable."
Ian Martin and Gregor Scotland from the developer addressed the committee, emphasizing that across West Lothian, the majority of homes are sold to local people. The affordable homes would be made available to those on housing waiting lists. Persimmon also agreed to make contributions to cover schools development.
The local Livingston Village Community Council voiced no objections to the planned housing but raised concerns about the lack of bus services through the Kirkton Campus site. Councillor Willie Boyle told the meeting he could not support the proposal. Chair of the DMC, Councillor Harry Cartmill, said: "I know the site well. I take on board what planners and other members have said and I would support the officers’ recommendation to refuse." No alternative position was put forward, so the application was refused.
