550 homes approved for Armadale’s old brickworks. The project aims to revitalize the area, addressing dumping and safety.
Businesses nearby are worried about noise. They fear complaints from new neighbors. Residents worry about more traffic; they think it could be around 1,100 cars.
The West Lothian committee talked about the plan. They said the site was always meant for housing. Council members like the idea to rebuild the old factory and they also want to fill the quarry.
The developer’s agent spoke about the project. She said it will fix a dangerous, empty site and can turn the area into a nice community. It will also stop the dumping and safety problems.
The agent said AC Land wants to start quickly. Work on the quarry will begin soon and that will start the area’s cleanup.
Willie Connolly runs a company nearby and fears noise complaints from the new homes. His business makes plastic pipes. He worries he might have to move.
The committee discussed ways to block the noise. Planners think the solutions are good, but Connolly’s firm is not so sure.
Experts said a big wall and fence will help. It will stand 21 feet tall and should shield homes from the pipe machine noise.
Connolly said his firm is a good neighbor. They stop the loud machines after 5 pm. He thinks that noise tests were not realistic and fears new homes will bring more complaints.
A council expert said the wall is very big. He said it’s the first of its kind in West Lothian. He thinks the wall will work well.
John Russell lives on Watt Avenue. He worries about new roads; drivers will likely use his street as a shortcut.
He said many homes have several cars. He thinks 1,000 extra cars are likely, which means more traffic on local streets including Watt Avenue and St Paul’s Drive.
AC Land wants to fill the quarry. They also seek permission to build homes. The plan includes play areas and paths that will link to the school and train station.
Council members agreed to the plan. One member wants rules about noise and wants to control possible noise issues.
The meeting leader spoke about the concerns. He said they heard from neighbors and experts and believes they tried to reduce the noise. He thinks they did all they could.
Another member called it exciting. The plan includes affordable homes and she hopes for social housing too. She hopes it won’t be near the noise.
She is concerned about the noise, but she thinks they have good solutions. She wants more work to address concerns because the business needs to keep going and growing.