£1bn housing and retail development begins in West Lothian

A £1 billion housing and retail project has got underway which is expected to see the creation of hundreds of new jobs, infrastructure secretary Alex Neil today confirmed.

The cabinet secretary cut the first turf to signal the start of the development whcih will see around 3,450 new homes and a mixture of business, shopping and community facilities will emerge on the 900 acre site in West Lothian over the next fifteen years.

In its first phase, the development at Winchburgh, near Broxburn, is expected to support 300 new jobs annually.

A community benefit clause agreed with developers will trigger a £1.27 million contribution towards West Lothian Council’s cost in extending Linlithgow Academy, which was completed last year.

Mr Neil said: “The Scottish Government has always argued that investing in our infrastructure is one of the primary ways to create jobs and stimulate growth in our economy.

“Last week, the CBI echoed that view highlighting the important role that the construction sector plays as a job-creator and key player in infrastructure renewal.

“As one of Scotland’s largest construction projects, this development in West Lothian illustrates how co-operation between the public and private sector can benefit the local community and stimulate the wider economy.

“I am also pleased that the project managers, Sigma Capital, including their first phase contractors, Realm Construction, have pledged to employ as many local people as possible as the development proceeds.”