Welcome to the Winchburgh Developments Community update page!
This page is where WDL posts updates, events notifications and general information relating to the ongoing development at Winchburgh.
Rail Station Update
Following on from a number of Rail Station Steering Group meetings involving Network Rail, Transport Scotland, West Lothian Council and Winchburgh Developments Limited, a planning application for the rail station and circa eighty space park and ride facility will be submitted to West Lothian Council, as planning authority, by Network Rail by the end of May 2025. The station will be designed by Network Rail and that process is being funded by Winchburgh Developments Limited.
This will be accompanied by an up-to-date Business Plan (a requirement of the strategic expansion planning permission for Winchburgh) and help inform a bid to be made to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal for help with rail station funding.
West Lothian Council also confirmed, at its most recent Executive meeting that the Council will act as a co-Promoter of the Winchburgh rail station project to an appropriate point in the process.
The rail station working group has issued the following statement –
“A meeting between West Lothian Council, Winchburgh Developments Ltd, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government’s Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity was held recently (Wednesday 15 January). The meeting was arranged to discuss progress and provide updates on progress for the proposal to deliver a railway station at Winchburgh.
The meeting noted the council’s recent decision to assume the role of Co-promoter for the project jointly with Winchburgh Developments Ltd, the main developer for the area. The developer is now working with Network Rail on the design work required to develop a Business Case, which is required to apply for funding for the station. The expectation is that the Business Case will be submitted to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal to apply for funding via its Strategic Sites Investment Programme, or through an application to any other public funding source which may be identified within the work of the project Steering Group.
Lawrence Fitzpatrick, Leader of West Lothian Council said: “It is very encouraging to see the work which has been undertaken to date on this important project. The benefits of a railway station in this town will be significant in terms of increased access to employment, education and leisure, as well as the decongestion benefits and carbon emission reductions. The joint working between these organisations has been extremely productive and will ensure that progress is made as quickly as possible on delivering a railway station for the people of Winchburgh”.
John Hamilton, Chief Executive of Winchburgh Developments Ltd, added: “We are delighted that the council has accepted the role of Co-promoter on this project. This is a very positive step forward for the delivery of the railway station, which has always been included as part of the masterplan for the Winchburgh Core Development Area.”
Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie MSP said: “The Scottish Government welcomes the decision by West Lothian Council’s Executive Committee to co-promote the station proposal with Winchburgh Developments Limited. This decision is evidence of the progress being made through the collaborative efforts of the Station Steering Group members and Transport Scotland, in its advisory capacity, shall continue to share its considerable experience in developing plans for new rail infrastructure”.
Rail Station progress update – the West Lothian Council Executive meeting today (14th January 2025) agreed the Rail Station progress update.
West Lothian Council has provided the following update –
An important step aimed at helping to drive forward the creation of a new railway station in Winchburgh has been approved by West Lothian Council today.
Background:
WDL are delighted at this agreement and all stakeholders are a working together towards these key elements of the design and business case submission. We will bring more news soon.
Rail Station progress update –
The West Lothian Council Executive meeting to take place on 14th January 2025 will consider a Report providing an update on progress with the Winchburgh Rail Station (link below).
West Lothian Council Committee Information – Submission Documents
West Lothian Council has also provided the following update –
A move aimed at helping to deliver a new railway station in Winchburgh could be given the green light next week.
A new railway station is included within the original masterplan for the Winchburgh Core Development Area. However, there has never been an agreed funding source to pay for the train station.
Funding remains to be secured for this project, but a potential funding solution has been identified.
In an effort to move the delivery of a new railway station forward, Winchburgh Developments Ltd (WDL), the lead developer of the Winchburgh expansion scheme, has agreed, in principle, to adopt the role of Promoter. Any significant public infrastructure project in Scotland requires a Promoter. A promoter does not have to be the funder of the project – but is accountable for the project budget. The Promoter of the project has a role in ensuring that the project remains on track including overseeing the project budget.
WDL has a responsibility to deliver much of the infrastructure required to support the expansion of the settlement and own the land around the location of the station and as such are well placed to adopt the role of Promoter.
WDL has invited West Lothian Council to be Co-Promoter with them – with the council’s main role to oversee a funding application to the City Region Deal or to any other public funding source which may be identified through the work of a project Steering Group – which has been set up to oversee progress with delivery of the station. The Steering Group includes, Transport Scotland, National Rail, Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Region Deal, WDL and West Lothian Council along with others.
A report by the council’s Head of Planning, Economic Development and Regeneration sets out the details and recommends that councillors agree to proposals that the council should adopt the Co-Promoter role for a limited period up to the point that a funding bid or bids covering the cost of the station have been submitted.
All stakeholders have confirmed their commitment to the railway station project for Winchburgh. The report is being discussed at next week’s Council Executive and we will provide an update then.
Following on from the Council meeting on 14th January 2025, the Committee Report presented for approval was passed on a unanimous vote.
WDL would like to wish all Winchburgh residents a happy new year.
Following a busy 2024, WDL has produced a highlights video of activity throughout the year – see links below (Facebook and WeTransfer) –
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JESdoG8yf/?mibextid=WC7FNe
WDL is delighted for the Wee Bothy and Villaggio Gelato two beach huts at the marina that are now open. Planning permission was granted for these recently by West Lothian Council.
The new Scottish Canals temporary facilities buildings north of the marina to service marina users have been installed and will be open for the start of the new season in March 2025. This will be followed up by a permanent building in due course.
WDL is currently out to the market for a potential restaurant operator for the land to the west of the marina. As and when further information can be shared on this, it will be posted here and reported to the Community Council.
For the attention of all new development homeowners:
Following on from the Development Management Scheme (DMS) Annual General Meeting held in September 2024, the next phase of common areas greenspace was proposed and agreed to be handed over to the Owners Association. This is the second phase of land to be transferred and, as of December 2024, it is now ready to be transferred into the DMS.
All new development homeowners are part of the DMS and you will received communication from your Factor or Housebuilder in the New Year regarding your payment requirement. Please all note that all new homes and commercial building owners all pay into the DMS.
For copy of DMS Summary see below –
For any DMS queries please contact your Factor or Housebuilder.
The footpath that was temporarily closed to enable development works east of the village has now re-opened. It has been upgraded as part of the strategic pathway network throughout Winchburgh.
WDL would remind everyone that access to Daisy Park and the Clay Pit is temporarily currently closed off for health and safety reasons. Additional signage has been put in place around the park perimeter to warn of this. The signage also sets out a programme for park delivery. WDL would ask that the public keep away from this area at this time.
The marina bridge that will link the Park to the marina across the Canal will be put in place during 2025.
Daisy Park, itself, will be completed and opened in 2027.
None at this time.
Development applications details can be viewed on the West Lothian Council website at Simple Search – just enter the planning application reference number below to see details –
Under construction –
Bellway Block Q 140 houses and 44 flats reference 1167/MSC/21
CALA Blocks Y and Z 113 houses reference 0042/MSC/23
Taylor Wimpey Blocks CC/FF – 190 houses reference 0504/MSC/22
Barratt / David Wilson Homes Blocks DD/EE
Wheatley Group Block BB – 37 houses and 44 flats (affordable housing) reference 1166/MSC/20
Lovell Homes Blocks P1-3 – 149 houses and 27 flats reference 1008/MSC/23
Consented –
Persimmon Homes Blocks HH1 / HH2 – 131 houses reference 0228/MSC/24
Submitted and not yet consented
Robertson Homes Block GG – 71 houses reference 0924/MSC/24
Miller Homes Block X – 109 houses reference 1003/MSC/24