West Lothian town wants action over eyesore derelict sites

Armadale, a town in West Lothian, is calling for action to address numerous derelict sites that are blighting the area, a recent survey has revealed. Among all the towns and villages in West Lothian, Armadale has the highest number of these eyesores. Residents believe that tackling these derelict sites, even with simple measures, is crucial to enhancing the town’s appearance.

During an open day organised by West Lothian Council, the community expressed frustration over the lack of information about these sites, particularly one located on West Main Street. The event, part of the council’s efforts to gather feedback for its Locality Plan, aims to collaborate with community groups to combat poverty and foster community wealth building.

Michelle Murray, the Regeneration Officer for Armadale, highlighted the community’s concern about the neglected sites, emphasising the importance of keeping residents informed about any future developments. The high percentage of the population living near derelict sites underscores the urgency of the situation, with many locals questioning why no action has been taken to address them.

Councillor Lynda Kenna raised concerns about the derelict sites and enquired about plans to utilise them for housing purposes. Mrs Murray explained that the data is skewed by one particularly large site, the former brickworks in the south of the town. Efforts are underway to engage with site owners to explore development opportunities, with plans already in motion to build housing on the brickworks site.

In response to the community’s distress over the state of these sites, initiatives such as community hoardings are being considered to improve the townscape. These hoardings would involve local youth groups and schools in their decoration, with funding allocated from Covid Recovery funds to support the project.

The council is also exploring ways to work with site owners, such as a former garage in Blackridge, to revitalize these derelict areas. A recent partnership community engagement session provided an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns and ideas and allowed various services to directly interact with the community to address their needs.

In summary, the community in Armadale is calling for urgent action to tackle the numerous derelict sites that are tarnishing the town’s image. Through collaboration with local groups and council initiatives, efforts are being made to transform these eyesores into assets that enhance the overall aesthetic and appeal of the town.