West Lothian Council’s planning committee voted to refuse the application from Robertson Homes to develop the site at New Calder Mill Road for 125 new homes in February 2022.

Planning permission was refused for being contrary to planning policy in ten different areas, mainly related to the site being an open space, countryside area which is not allocated for housing.

Robertson Homes lodged an appeal to Scottish Ministers, who appointed a reporter to look into the case.

The reporter has now granted permission for the development against the recommendation of West Lothian Council’s planning officers and the formal refusal decision of the council stating: “I therefore conclude that while the proposed development does not accord overall with the relevant provisions of the development plan, granting planning permission is still justified.”