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Edinburgh Reporter
28-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Bathgate meadows plan survives £17m lottery rejection
Plans to provide a green lane through the heart of Bathgate will survive the loss of £17m National Lottery funding, councillors have been told. The plan, launched in 2022, will eventually see Bathgate Burn restored and its banks turned into green space, as well as creating travel routes running through the heart of the town. However, having funded initial design plans the National Lottery Heritage Fund backed away from proposals in January because of 'the very significant increase in the cost and scope of the project.' New, rationalised proposals expected later this year will concentrate on the greening of the Bathgate Burn. The withdrawal caused consternation among local groups working with the Council and national agencies such as SEPA and Sustrans, looking at ways to bring the Bathgate Meadows Nature Park to life. What had started out as potentially a £10m project had ballooned to £20m as the number of active travel routes had increased, involving more work on the town's streets as well as along the banks of the Bathgate Burn. In a report to the town's local area management committee this week Graeme Burton the council's Design Engineering Manager said: 'The feedback from the National Lottery Heritage Fund was that the level of unsecured match funding was the main risk to the project, as well as the increase in scope. 'A significant portion of the unsecured funding is because the council is only able to apply for active travel funding from Transport Scotland on a yearly basis, which is not guaranteed. Mr Burton report added 'the council will aim to rationalise the current scope during the next phase of the design.' Despite the unsuccessful National Lottery application, SEPA have expressed their ambition to continue funding the project through to the construction phase. SUStrans Places for Everyone funding will still be available until September 2025, at which point this funding stream will cease. Other funding will need to be applied for on a yearly basis to deliver the active travel elements through Transport Scotland's Active Travel Infrastructure Fund. This fund takes the place of the SUStrans Places for Everyone fund. Mr Burton's report to the local area committee added: 'Officers have recently been liaising with all project partners and the Project Board to identify the next steps. It is intended that river restoration and active travel elements will continue development, however, the community engagement and traineeships elements will reduce in scope. 'One of the project partners, Forth Rivers Trust, was the partner who would have continued community engagement and traineeships; however, it has been decided that West Lothian Council officers will progress community engagement on a reduced scale, with no further involvement from Forth Rivers Trust. 'Designs are currently ongoing, with detailed designs for river restoration programmed to be complete towards the end of 2026, following statutory consultation periods and due to seasonal constraints for wildlife identified within the area. 'The detailed design for some active travel routes are programmed to be complete by Autumn 2025.' Council officers had to call an emergency meeting with the local committee in January when the National Lottery made its decision. There were widespread fears that the project would collapse. At the time a council spokesperson described the decision as 'obviously disappointing' but stressed to the Local Democracy Reporting Service: ' It is not correct to suggest that the Bathgate Meadows Nature Park Project has been cancelled. 'This is an ambitious multi-year project involving multiple partners with the aim of regenerating the area around the Bathgate Water. The council is a member of a multi-agency project board, working alongside members of the community to deliver the Bathgate Meadows restoration. This is a complex piece of work, funded through multiple phases via a number of identified funding streams.' Councillor Pauline Stafford sought assurances that community involvement would still be part of the plan Mr Burton said that it has been decided that West Lothian Council officers will progress community engagement on a reduced scale, with no further involvement from Forth Rivers Trust. By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Plan for Bathgate meadows to go ahead despite £17m knockback by National Lottery
The plan, launched in 2022, will eventually see Bathgate Burn restored and its banks turned into green space, as well as creating travel routes running through the heart of the town. Plans to provide a green lane through the heart of Bathgate will survive the loss of £17m National Lottery funding, councillors have been told. The plan, launched in 2022, will eventually see Bathgate Burn restored and its banks turned into green space, as well as creating travel routes running through the heart of the town. However, having funded initial design plans the National Lottery Heritage Fund backed away from proposals in January because of ' the very significant increase in the cost and scope of the project.' New, rationalised proposals expected later this year will concentrate on the greening of the Bathgate Burn. The withdrawal caused consternation among local groups working with the Council and national agencies such as SEPA and Sustrans, looking at ways to bring the Bathgate Meadows Nature Park to life. What had started out as potentially a £10m project had ballooned to £20m as the number of active travel routes had increased, involving more work on the town's streets as well as along the banks of the Bathgate Burn. In a report to the town's local area management committee this week Graeme Burton the council's Design Engineering Manager said: ' The feedback from the National Lottery Heritage Fund was that the level of unsecured match funding was the main risk to the project, as well as the increase in scope. 'A significant portion of the unsecured funding is because the council is only able to apply for active travel funding from Transport Scotland on a yearly basis, which is not guaranteed. Mr Burton report added 'the council will aim to rationalise the current scope during the next phase of the design.' Despite the unsuccessful National Lottery application, SEPA have expressed their ambition to continue funding the project through to the construction phase. SUStrans Places for Everyone funding will still be available until September 2025, at which point this funding stream will cease. Other funding will need to be applied for on a yearly basis to deliver the active travel elements through Transport Scotland's Active Travel Infrastructure Fund. This fund takes the place of the SUStrans Places for Everyone fund. Mr Burton's report to the local area committee added: 'Officers have recently been liaising with all project partners and the Project Board to identify the next steps. It is intended that river restoration and active travel elements will continue development, however, the community engagement and traineeships elements will reduce in scope. 'One of the project partners, Forth Rivers Trust, was the partner who would have continued community engagement and traineeships, however, it has been decided that West Lothian Council officers will progress community engagement on a reduced scale, with no further involvement from Forth Rivers Trust. 'Designs are currently ongoing, with detailed designs for river restoration programmed to be complete towards the end of 2026, following statutory consultation periods and due to seasonal constraints for wildlife identified within the area. 'The detailed design for some active travel routes are programmed to be complete by Autumn 2025.' Council officers had to call an emergency meeting with the local committee in January when the National Lottery made its decision. There were widespread fears that the project would collapse. At the time a council spokesperson described the decision as 'obviously disappointing' but stressed to the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'It is not correct to suggest that the Bathgate Meadows Nature Park Project has been cancelled. 'This is an ambitious multi-year project involving multiple partners with the aim of regenerating the area around the Bathgate Water. "The council is a member of a multi-agency project board, working alongside members of the community to deliver the Bathgate Meadows restoration. "This is a complex piece of work, funded through multiple phases via a number of identified funding streams.' Councillor Pauline Stafford sought assurances that community involvement would still be part of the plan Mr Burton said that it has been decided that West Lothian Council officers will progress community engagement on a reduced scale, with no further involvement from Forth Rivers Trust.
Edinburgh Live
28-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Plan for Bathgate meadows to go ahead despite £17m knockback by National Lottery
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Plans to provide a green lane through the heart of Bathgate will survive the loss of £17m National Lottery funding, councillors have been told. The plan, launched in 2022, will eventually see Bathgate Burn restored and its banks turned into green space, as well as creating travel routes running through the heart of the town. However, having funded initial design plans the National Lottery Heritage Fund backed away from proposals in January because of ' the very significant increase in the cost and scope of the project.' New, rationalised proposals expected later this year will concentrate on the greening of the Bathgate Burn. The withdrawal caused consternation among local groups working with the Council and national agencies such as SEPA and Sustrans, looking at ways to bring the Bathgate Meadows Nature Park to life. What had started out as potentially a £10m project had ballooned to £20m as the number of active travel routes had increased, involving more work on the town's streets as well as along the banks of the Bathgate Burn. In a report to the town's local area management committee this week Graeme Burton the council's Design Engineering Manager said: ' The feedback from the National Lottery Heritage Fund was that the level of unsecured match funding was the main risk to the project, as well as the increase in scope. 'A significant portion of the unsecured funding is because the council is only able to apply for active travel funding from Transport Scotland on a yearly basis, which is not guaranteed. Mr Burton report added 'the council will aim to rationalise the current scope during the next phase of the design.' Despite the unsuccessful National Lottery application, SEPA have expressed their ambition to continue funding the project through to the construction phase. SUStrans Places for Everyone funding will still be available until September 2025, at which point this funding stream will cease. Other funding will need to be applied for on a yearly basis to deliver the active travel elements through Transport Scotland's Active Travel Infrastructure Fund. This fund takes the place of the SUStrans Places for Everyone fund. Mr Burton's report to the local area committee added: 'Officers have recently been liaising with all project partners and the Project Board to identify the next steps. It is intended that river restoration and active travel elements will continue development, however, the community engagement and traineeships elements will reduce in scope. 'One of the project partners, Forth Rivers Trust, was the partner who would have continued community engagement and traineeships, however, it has been decided that West Lothian Council officers will progress community engagement on a reduced scale, with no further involvement from Forth Rivers Trust. 'Designs are currently ongoing, with detailed designs for river restoration programmed to be complete towards the end of 2026, following statutory consultation periods and due to seasonal constraints for wildlife identified within the area. 'The detailed design for some active travel routes are programmed to be complete by Autumn 2025." Council officers had to call an emergency meeting with the local committee in January when the National Lottery made its decision. There were widespread fears that the project would collapse. At the time a council spokesperson described the decision as "obviously disappointing" but stressed to the Local Democracy Reporting Service: ' It is not correct to suggest that the Bathgate Meadows Nature Park Project has been cancelled. 'This is an ambitious multi-year project involving multiple partners with the aim of regenerating the area around the Bathgate Water. The council is a member of a multi-agency project board, working alongside members of the community to deliver the Bathgate Meadows restoration. This is a complex piece of work, funded through multiple phases via a number of identified funding streams.' Councillor Pauline Stafford sought assurances that community involvement would still be part of the plan Mr Burton said that it has been decided that West Lothian Council officers will progress community engagement on a reduced scale, with no further involvement from Forth Rivers Trust.
Scotsman
27-04-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Councillors told footpath to 'island village' in West Lothian could still be two years away
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Plans for a path from West Lothian's 'Island Village' of Stoneyburn are set to go before the council later this year. 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... But it could be another two years before the path is built, councillors on the Fauldhouse and Breich Valley Local area committee heard this week. By that time the original £2m funding package will have expired and new money will have to be found. In a report to the committee, Graeme Burton, the council's design engineering manager, said the two year deadline had been built in to accommodate the potential for Compulsory Purchase Orders on sections of the route. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Burton told councillors that negotiations were ongoing with landowners along the route and that wildlife surveys of bats and newts are currently underway, with plans being prepared for the council to consider after the summer. The new homes will see development of the south side of Cannop Crescent at the west end of Bents and Stoneyburn, often dubbed the island village because of it lack of footpath access. | Google Maps In his report he added: 'It is still likely that the council may have to consider pursuing the route of Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), to ensure all the necessary land along the route is secured for the project. A CPO cannot progress until planning permission has been granted. 'Officers will continue to work with the current design consultant Local Transport Projects Ltd and ecologist Gavia Environmental to progress the design of the cycle path link. 'Officers are keen for the project to be progressed but the time-line for delivery is dependent on the conclusion of the required surveys, planning approval and potential land discussions and any negotiations that may have to take place.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He added: 'The anticipated timescales officers estimated previously were in the region of 18 to 24 months to get the appropriate permissions and secure the required land. Once funding is secured, it would then take in the region of ten months to a year to carry out the tender process to procure a suitable contractor to construct the project. 'These dates are estimates at this time and will not be known in more detail until the appropriate planning and CPO processes are progressed.' Councillor Cathy Muldoon asked for the committee to be given regular updates on the proposals. Villagers, who live in what they brand the Island Village, have been fighting for more than two years for a footpath and cycle route to Fauldhouse, where the nearest health care facilities area. Additionally they are campaigning to complete a footpath linking Stoneyburn and East Whitburn. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Despite lying at the almost geographical centre of West Lothian, Stoneyburn has few bus connections and few pavements beyond the village boundaries, making walking hazardous along narrow and winding B-roads which are heavy with undergrowth and hedging in the summer. Sandy Edgar, one of leading campaigners for the improved footpaths welcomed the progress but admitted he disappointed at the potential for delay. 'We are pleased to see continued progress on this vital connection for our island village. Enhanced connectivity will contribute positively to the physical and mental well-being of all residents, while also providing a crucial link to neighbouring villages and transport networks. 'However, we are disappointed with the current time frames and would welcome any opportunity to accelerate the process, while recognising the necessary steps involved in its development.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The council has long supported the footpath plan and enlisted Sustrans to help. The bulk of the £2m costs will go on the development of a new shared use footpath and cyclepath crossing over the A706 which will be by way of an overbridge. The Sustrans promise of funding through Places for Everyone funding expires in September but councillors were assured that replacement funding can come from the new Transport Scotland Active Travel Infrastructure Fund, which council officers will apply for in the 2026/27 financial year.
Edinburgh Reporter
25-04-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian island village footpath could be two years away
Plans for a path from West Lothian's 'Island Village' of Stoneyburn are set to go before the council later this year. But it could be another two years before the path is built, councillors on the Fauldhouse and Breich Valley Local area committee heard this week By that time the original £2m funding package will have expired and new money will have to be found. In a report to the committee Graeme Burton, the council's Design Engineering Manager, said the two-year deadline had been built in to accommodate the potential for Compulsory Purchase Orders on sections of the route. Mr Burton told councillors that negotiations were ongoing with landowners along the route and wildlife surveys of bats and newts are currently underway, with plans being prepared for the council to consider after the summer. In his report he added: 'It is still likely that the Council may have to consider pursuing the route of Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), to ensure all the necessary land along the route is secured for the project. A CPO cannot progress until planning permission has been granted. 'Officers will continue to work with the current design consultant Local Transport Projects Ltd and ecologist Gavia Environmental to progress the design of the cyclepath link. 'Officers are keen for the project to be progressed but the time-line for delivery is dependent on the conclusion of the required surveys, planning approval and potential land discussions and any negotiations that may have to take place. He added: 'The anticipated timescales officers estimated previously were in the region of 18 to 24 months to get the appropriate permissions and secure the required land. Once funding is secured, it would then take in the region of ten months to a year to carry out the tender process to procure a suitable contractor to construct the project. 'These dates are estimates at this time and will not be known in more detail until the appropriate planning and CPO processes are progressed.' Councillor Cathy Muldoon asked for the committee to be given regular updates on the proposals. Villagers, who live in what they brand the Island Village, have been fighting for more than two years already for a footpath and cycle route to Fauldhouse three miles to the east. That's where the nearest health care facilities for the village are. Additionally, they are campaigning to complete a footpath linking Stoneyburn and East Whitburn Despite lying at the almost geographical centre of West Lothian Stoneyburn has few bus connections and few pavements beyond the village boundaries, making walking hazardous along narrow and winding B-roads which are heavy with undergrowth and hedging in the summer. Sandy Edgar, one of leading campaigners for the improved footpaths welcomed the progress but admitted he disappointed at the potential for delay. 'We are pleased to see continued progress on this vital connection for our island village. Enhanced connectivity will contribute positively to the physical and mental well-being of all residents, while also providing a crucial link to neighbouring villages and transport networks. 'However, we are disappointed with the current time frames and would welcome any opportunity to accelerate the process, while recognising the necessary steps involved in its development.' The council has long supported the footpath plan and enlisted Sustrans to help. The bulk of the £2m costs will go on the development of a new shared use footpath/cyclepath crossing over the A706 which will be by way of an overbridge. The Sustrans promise of funding through Places for Everyone funding expires in September, but councillors were assured that replacement funding can come from the new Transport Scotland Active Travel Infrastructure Fund, which council officers will apply for in the 2026/27 financial year. By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
