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Scotsman
20-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
West Lothian population set to reach 200,000 by 2032, report predicts
West Lothian's population could grow to almost 200,000 within seven years. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A growing, but ageing population is one of the key points from the first draft of the council's ten year Economic Investment Plan. West Lothian is one of the few local authorities in the country that will see substantial growth into the 2030s, as Scotland's population remains largely static. West Lothian is one of the few areas of Scotland expected to see a significant population increase | Google Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But while a higher birth rate and net migration have been identified as the core reasons for the increase, the number of children is expected to fall. The report was delivered to a recent meeting of the Economy, Community Empowerment and Wealth Building PDSP. It predicts the county's population rising from its current 181,000 to 196,000 by 2032. Growth brings its own problems, with increasing demand on housing and health care – not least because of the rising numbers of elderly. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, the report added a cautionary note, highlighting that population projections published prior to the latest census in 2022 saw population figures in West Lothian over-estimated by approximately 6,000 – and future projections could also be overestimated as a result. The report outlined that while West Lothian's working age population is projected to grow by 8 per cent in the decade to 2028, its retired population is forecast to grow by 44 per cent, and those aged 75 or over by 39 per cent. West Lothian's child population is forecast to decline by around 5 per cent over the same period. Skills Development Scotland, a Scottish Government agency, has produced figures on the dependency ratio, which compares the number of those of non-working age – that is, those aged 0-15 and 65+, in comparison to those of working age, 16-64 . Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The dependency ratio in West Lothian is currently in line with that of the rest of Scotland at 56 per cent, but the ratio is expected to be slightly above the Scottish level of 60 per cent – confirming a growing ageing of the population in West Lothian. Another of the key changes in the ageing demographic is the demand for housing. The new Local Development Plan is currently being drawn up. One of the main demands in public consultation on future house building has been the need for more diversity, including more bungalows, and single level living – especially in areas such as Livingston. A council spokesperson said that wider public consultation plans are being drawn up by the council, asking people for their views on housing and health care provision. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Councillors welcomed the initial draft of the economic plan and wanted more detail. Jim Henderson, the council's Business Development Manager stressed that the Economic Investment Plant was a 'live' document which would be regularly updated. He added that the key to development in the next decade was partnerships with both the national government and the Third Sector as well as external investors. Further reports are expected to be delivered in the Autumn.
Edinburgh Reporter
15-07-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian's population could grow to almost 200,000 within seven years
West Lothian's population could grow to almost 200,000 within seven years. A growing but ageing population is one of the key points from the first draft of the council's ten-year Economic Investment Plan. It is one of the few local authorities in the country that will see substantial growth into the 2030s, as Scotland's population remains largely static. But while a higher birth rate and net migration have been identified as the core reasons for the increase, the number of children is expected to fall. The report was delivered to a recent meeting of the Economy, Community Empowerment and Wealth Building PDSP. It predicts the county's population rising from its current 181,000 to 196,000 by 2032. Growth brings its own problems, with increasing demand on housing and health care – not least because of the rising numbers of elderly. However, the report added a cautionary note, highlighting that population projections published prior to the latest census in 2022 saw population figures in West Lothian over-estimated by approximately 6,000 – and future projections could also be overestimated as a result. The report outlined that while West Lothian's working age population is projected to grow by 8% in the decade to 2028, its retired population is forecast to grow by 44%, and those aged 75 or over by 39%. West Lothian's child population is forecast to decline by around 5% over the same period. Skills Development Scotland, a Scottish Government agency, has produced figures on the dependency ratio, which compares the number of those of non-working age – that is, those aged 0-15 and 65+, in comparison to those of working age, 16-64 . The dependency ratio in West Lothian is currently in line with that of the rest of Scotland at 56% but the ratio is expected to be slightly above the Scottish level of 60% – confirming a growing ageing of the population in West Lothian. Another of the key changes in the ageing demographic is the demand for housing. The new Local Development Plan is currently being drawn up. One of the main demands in public consultation on future house building has been the need for more diversity, including more bungalows, and single level living – especially in areas such as Livingston. A council spokesperson said that wider public consultation plans are being drawn up by the council asking people for their views on housing and health care provision. Councillors welcomed the initial draft of the economic plan and wanted more detail. Jim Henderson, the council's Business Development Manager stressed that the Economic Investment Plant was a 'live' document which would be regularly updated. He added that the key to development in the next decade was partnerships with both the national government and the Third Sector as well as external investors. Further reports are expected to be delivered in the Autumn. By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
West Lothian's population could grow to almost 200,000 within seven years
A growing, but ageing population is one of the key points from the first draft of the council's ten year Economic Investment Plan. West Lothian's population could grow to almost 200,000 within seven years. A growing, but ageing population is one of the key points from the first draft of the council's ten year Economic Investment Plan. It is one of the few local authorities in the country that will see substantial growth into the 2030s, as Scotland's population remains largely static. But while a higher birth rate and net migration have been identified as the core reasons for the increase, the number of children is expected to fall. The report was delivered to a recent meeting of the Economy, Community Empowerment and Wealth Building PDSP. It predicts the county's population rising from its current 181,000 to 196,000 by 2032. Growth brings its own problems, with increasing demand on housing and health care - not least because of the rising numbers of elderly. However, the report added a cautionary note, highlighting that population projections published prior to the latest census in 2022 saw population figures in West Lothian over-estimated by approximately 6,000 - and future projections could also be overestimated as a result. The report outlined that while West Lothian's working age population is projected to grow by 8% in the decade to 2028, its retired population is forecast to grow by 44%, and those aged 75 or over by 39%. West Lothian's child population is forecast to decline by around 5% over the same period. Skills Development Scotland, a Scottish Government agency, has produced figures on the dependency ratio, which compares the number of those of non-working age - that is, those aged 0-15 and 65+, in comparison to those of working age, 16-64 . The dependency ratio in West Lothian is currently in line with that of the rest of Scotland at 56% but the ratio is expected to be slightly above the Scottish level of 60% - confirming a growing ageing of the population in West Lothian. Another of the key changes in the ageing demographic is the demand for housing. The new Local Development Plan is currently being drawn up. One of the main demands in public consultation on future house building has been the need for more diversity, including more bungalows, and single level living - especially in areas such as Livingston. A council spokesperson said that wider public consultation plans are being drawn up by the council asking people for their views on housing and health care provision. Councillors welcomed the initial draft of the economic plan and wanted more detail. Jim Henderson, the council's Business Development Manager stressed that the Economic Investment Plant was a 'live' document which would be regularly updated. He added that the key to development in the next decade was partnerships with both the national government and the Third Sector as well as external investors. Further reports are expected to be delivered in the Autumn.
Edinburgh Reporter
11-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Retrospective planning applications in West Lothian have fallen over last two years
The number of retrospective planning applications in West Lothian has fallen over the last two years, councillors heard this week. But a report made clear that legal enforcement of planning remains a complicated and expensive process for the council if it is faced with deliberate and determined planning breaches. Jim McGinlay, Building Standards Manager, said it was primarily a legal problem, adding that: 'there is very little we can do if people ignore the legislation.' He added that there had been suggestions in the past that lending institutions to demand evidence of planning permission before funding developments, but this had been problematic to introduce. Council officers compiled a report after an SNP call two months ago responding to fears that a 'culture of non-compliance with planning regulations' was developing. A meeting of the Economy, Community Empowerment and Wealth Building PDSP also heard that a new flat fee of £143 is to be introduced by the Scottish government for anyone who wants to appeal a refusal of planning permission determined by the Local Review Body. The SNP call from depute group leader Pauline Stafford came in April after the Council Executive was told that there had been 800 enquiries from the public about retrospective planning applications in the last two years. Claire Johnston, a planning officer, told this week's meeting of the Economy PDSP that retrospective applications are submitted for a number of reasons, not only as a result of enforcement enquiries. Last year the number of retrospective applications validated, that means accepted and considered by the council, fell slightly, to 79 from 87 in 2023/24. In both 23/24 and 24/25 a total of 57 applications came as the result of enforcement enquiries by planning officers. In percentage terms planning enforcement generated 72% of last year's retrospective applications against 66% of those in 2023/24. A report to the PDSP explained: 'The requirement to submit a retrospective planning application is the main course of enforcement action utilised by the service. 'Officers pursue the owners to apply for the necessary permissions in order to allow the development to be fully considered in line with planning policy, and to allow the opportunity for the public to submit comments on the development.' It added: 'Applying for retrospective planning permission carries a level of risk, as these applications are assessed in the same manner as proposed development, and there is no guarantee that they will be supported. 'Where retrospective applications and any subsequent appeals are refused, officers re-commence enforcement action and if necessary, proceed to serving enforcement notices to have the breach resolved. 'The 25% surcharge on fees for retrospective applications was introduced by the Scottish Government, with the intention to primarily provide a means of recovering the costs of undertaking enforcement investigations, rather than to be seen as a punishment for breaching planning control.' Planning fees vary on the size and type of development but can run into tens of thousands of pounds for large housing developments. Generally, for individual plans they can amount to anything from a few hundred pounds to around the £1,000 mark. The council has a Development Management team of nine planning officers and three planning assistants. All Development Management officers carry out some level of enforcement- case officers will often visit development sites and check for compliance with relevant conditions and approved plans. There are two planning officers and one assistant who work primarily on enforcement cases. The cost of enforcement falls under the budget of the Development Management service. There is only a modest budget to support legal action. There would be an additional cost to the service if the option of taking direct action, as a result of non-compliance with enforcement notices, were to be instructed. There is currently no budget for taking Direct Action to resolve breaches of planning control. The SNP group said in April: 'A proactive approach to compliance and adequate resourcing are essential for a successful service.' Labour's Tom Conn suggested publication of applications under enforcement through regular DMC meetings that would reassure the public that enforcement was ongoing and 'there was progress'. Ms Johnston told the meeting: 'There is actually an enforcement register on the council's website. We recently added a column to add compliance date so that it's available to all members of the public.' Donald Stavert from the Joint forum of Community Councils said: 'My question is about getting to the people who start building extensions without getting planning permission. Is there a need for a general education programme for the public? Is it a question of ignorance? Ms Johnston said there is generally a lack of knowledge, but the Scottish Government does provide a lot of information on enforcement and does suggest to look at guidance documents. She added that beyond stressing on the council website what you can and cannot do without permission, it was difficult to know what to do.' Chairing the Meeting councillor Susan Manion said: 'It's certainly a tricky issue.' By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
West Lothian planning laws 'complicated and expensive to enforce'
But a report made clear that legal enforcement of planning remains a complicated and expensive process for the council if it is faced with deliberate and determined planning breaches. The number of retrospective planning applications in West Lothian has fallen over the last two years, councillors heard this week. But a report made clear that legal enforcement of planning remains a complicated and expensive process for the council if it is faced with deliberate and determined planning breaches. Jim McGinlay, Building Standards Manager, said it was primarily a legal problem, adding that: 'there is very little we can do if people ignore the legislation.' He added that there had been suggestions in the past that lending institutions to demand evidence of planning permission before funding developments, but this had been problematic to introduce. Council officers compiled a report after an SNP call two months ago responding to fears that a 'culture of non-compliance with planning regulations' was developing. A meeting of the Economy, Community Empowerment and Wealth Building PDSP also heard that a new flat fee of £143 is to be introduced by the Scottish government for anyone who wants to appeal a refusal of planning permission determined by the Local Review Body. The SNP call from depute group leader Pauline Stafford came in April after the Council Executive was told that there had been 800 enquiries from the public about retrospective planning applications in the last two years. Claire Johnston, a planning officer, told this week's meeting of the Economy PDSP that retrospective applications are submitted for a number of reasons, not only as a result of enforcement enquiries. Last year the number of retrospective applications validated, that means accepted and considered by the council, fell slightly, to 79 from 87 in 2023/24. In both 23/24 and 24/25 a total of 57 applications came as the result of enforcement enquiries by planning officers. In percentage terms planning enforcement generated 72% of last year's retrospective applications against 66% of those in 2023/24. A report to the PDSP explained: 'The requirement to submit a retrospective planning application is the main course of enforcement action utilised by the service. 'Officers pursue the owners to apply for the necessary permissions in order to allow the development to be fully considered in line with planning policy, and to allow the opportunity for the public to submit comments on the development.' It added: 'Applying for retrospective planning permission carries a level of risk, as these applications are assessed in the same manner as proposed development, and there is no guarantee that they will be supported. 'Where retrospective applications and any subsequent appeals are refused, officers re-commence enforcement action and if necessary, proceed to serving enforcement notices to have the breach resolved. 'The 25% surcharge on fees for retrospective applications was introduced by the Scottish Government, with the intention to primarily provide a means of recovering the costs of undertaking enforcement investigations, rather than to be seen as a punishment for breaching planning control.' Planning fees vary on the size and type of development but can run into tens of thousands of pounds for large housing developments. Generally, for individual plans they can amount to anything from a few hundred pounds to around the £1,000 mark. The council has a Development Management team of nine planning officers and three planning assistants. All Development Management officers carry out some level of enforcement- case officers will often visit development sites and check for compliance with relevant conditions and approved plans. There are two planning officers and one assistant who work primarily on enforcement cases. The cost of enforcement falls under the budget of the Development Management service. There is only a modest budget to support legal action. There would be an additional cost to the service if the option of taking direct action, as a result of non-compliance with enforcement notices, were to be instructed. There is currently no budget for taking Direct Action to resolve breaches of planning control. The SNP group said in April: 'A proactive approach to compliance and adequate resourcing are essential for a successful service.' Labour's Tom Conn suggested publication of applications under enforcement through regular DMC meetings that would reassure the public that enforcement was ongoing and 'there was progress'. Ms Johnston told the meeting: 'There is actually an enforcement register on the council's website. We recently added a column to add compliance date so that it's available to all members of the public.' Donald Stavert from the Joint forum of Community Councils said: ' My question is about getting to the people who start building extensions without getting planning permission. Is there a need for a general education programme for the public? Is it a question of ignorance? Ms Johnston said there is generally a lack of knowledge but the Scottish Government does provide a lot of information on enforcement and does suggest to look at guidance documents. She added that beyond stressing on the council website what you can and cannot do without permission, it was difficult to know what to do.' Chairing the Meeting councillor Susan Manion said: 'It's certainly a tricky issue.'
