West Lothian town named as ‘housing priority’ for next five years

Linlithgow, a town in West Lothian, has been designated as a ‘housing priority’ for the next five years by the local council. The decision comes as part of the council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP), which aims to address the increasing demand for social housing in the area. Along with Livingston, Linlithgow continues to experience high demand for new housing developments, despite funding limitations that may prevent meeting the entire demand in both locations.

During a meeting of the Housing Services Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel, housing officer Gillian Edwards briefed councillors on the plan, highlighting the importance of investing in affordable housing and outlining key priorities for the next five years. The council aims to focus on council projects in high-demand areas like Livingston and Linlithgow, with existing successful developments in Core Development Areas such as Winchburgh and Calderwood in East Calder.

West Lothian Council has identified four priority developments for council housing in Livingston and Linlithgow, which are expected to add at least 128 units to the council’s housing stock. The majority of these new homes will be located in Livingston. In Linlithgow, plans are underway to construct 15 new council homes on Deanburn starting next year. Additionally, ongoing projects in the north-east of the county aim to deliver 100 homes for Wheatley Homes East and Home Group.

Despite identifying sites for over 2,000 homes, funding commitments currently only support the construction of 161 homes. The council also plans to acquire former council homes from the open market and allocate an additional 270 homes for special housing needs. However, funding constraints pose challenges for housing officers in developing detailed proposals, with a noticeable 11% reduction in funding for new builds in the next year.

Looking ahead, there is uncertainty about financial support from the Scottish Government beyond 2025/26, further complicating the long-term planning for housing developments in West Lothian. The council acknowledges the need to address the growing demand for affordable housing in the region, with plans to continue collaboration with Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to meet the housing needs of the community.

In summary, the prioritisation of Linlithgow as a ‘housing priority’ for the next five years reflects the council’s commitment to addressing the demand for social housing in West Lothian. Despite funding limitations and uncertainties about future financial support, efforts are underway to develop new housing projects in high-demand areas and deliver affordable housing solutions to meet the needs of the local population.