West Lothian Council has agreed land sales that will bring in more than £1 million to council coffers and enable two business parks to develop in Whitburn.
The council’s Executive approved the sale of 31 acres of land in the Heartlands Business Park, to the west of the town, to Henry Boot Developments Limited. This will allow the firm to develop industrial and associated office accommodation on the site, ready for business looking to expand or relocate.
Heartlands is a 100 acre business site created alongside the M8 west of Whitburn town centre as part of a wider regeneration of the area, including around 1,600 new homes. It largely occupies the site of the old Polkemmet coal mine which closed in the 1980s.
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The Executive also approved the sale of two smaller areas of land in Murraysgate Industrial Estate, also at the western end of the town, to Awais Investment Limited, which already owns a significant part of the estate. The sale of parcels of land will allow Awais to consolidate ownership and enable potential future development.
As Heartlands is a joint venture with private investors, the council’s 22% share of the sale is £1.03 million, with the Murraysgate sale bringing in an additional £26,000.
Leader of West Lothian Council, Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “I’m delighted that we are able to support two land sales that should help deliver a boost to the Whitburn economy.
“Both land sales represent good value for the council, bringing in much needed capital receipt at a time when our budgets are under huge pressure.
“The further development of Heartlands Business Park will give a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious business to move to, or grow in, West Lothian.
“I also look forward to seeing improvements made to Murraysgate Industrial Estate as a result of this sale.”
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