Plans to redevelop the facility located off Hunter Road were halted last month after councillors expressed concerns about an increase in traffic using the local road system and fears for safe access to emergency vehicles.

Planners told the latest meeting of the Development Management Committee that previous legislation governing secondary access routes into developments beyond a certain size had been superseded by new planning rules and each application had to be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Brian Johnston, chair of the local Livingstone Village Community Council, told the meeting that any formal objections that had, had now been addressed and the community council backed the development of the 54 houses and 65 flats.

Councillor Willie Boyle, who initially raised concerns about increased traffic on surrounding roads, maintained worries that the new developments would potentially impact local roads. He said: “I am concerned that we have very woolly specifications here.”

He urged that Kirkton Road would be adversely affected by increased traffic when it became the main route into the town from the projected Gavieside development near West Calder.

Developers Robertson Living had offered to build an emergency access road connecting the site to Alderstone Road, the West Lothian Courier reports.

Councillor Boyle suggested for the benefit of the whole residential area that this offer should be taken up due to a concern of volume of traffic at the main access point.

Graeme Manager, roads and transportation manager, told the meeting that existing roads had sufficient capacity for the development.

Lawrence Fitzpatrick, council leader, said: “I am now content we don’t need a second access particularly as it would be through a residential estate.”