West Lothian Council’s Development Management Committee has voted to refuse permission for the 3.14-hectare site, known locally as the Veterans Nature Reserve, which sits between Napier Avenue and Academy Place.

The reasons for refusal were given as: adverse impact on the residential amenity of the surrounding residents; significant over-development of the site; and not sufficiently demonstrating protection of European protected species.

Objections were raised by local residents on a number or issues, including: loss of local amenity and greenspace; concern over the impact of construction traffic on steep, narrow, residential roads; and issues around water drainage.

The site has an indicative allocation of 10 houses in the West Lothian Local Development Plan, 2018 with the Bathgate Hills Special Landscape Area adjoining the site to the north.