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Stuart Sommerville

Local Democracy Reporter

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12-01-2018. Picture Michael Gillen. West Lothian council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick

West Lothian Council accused of political bias over community email

20mph road sign

West Lothian 20mph speed limit rollout to begin in January

Sally Pattle - Liberal Democrat

Scottish Gov urged to build on existing local authority structure

The small "granny flat" is said to "undermine" the area's historic character

West Lothian "granny flat" sent to ministers after council rejection

The developer wants to build 122 homes, 46 flats and five commercial units on the former factory site

Rejection of 168 homes at former Ethicon factory appealed by developer

Objectors said the hotel would bring more traffic onto an already busy road

Go-ahead for former masonic lodge to become hotel

Council to bring in more booking slots for its five recycling centres

The open countryside off Leyden Road near Kirknewton, which could soon be covered in solar panels.

Councillors approve solar farm on the fringes of the Pentland Hills

Officers used their off-road KTM bikes to chase after one rider

Council to help curb the growing menace of e-bikes and off road bikes

Council headquarters at the West Lothian Civic Centre in Livingston

SNP kicks back against cut in broadcast of council meetings

Decision on solar farm near Pentland Hills delayed for a second time

Drug deaths rose by almost 9 per cent in Edinburgh in 2025

Call for safe drug consumption rooms after West Lothian deaths surge

Drug-related deaths reached a high last year with 39 people losing their lives as a direct result of drug use

West Lothian's significant drug-death rise an 'avoidable tragedy'

West Lothian Council has already spent £53 million tackling crumbling concrete in county schools.

Council demands answers over ‘broken’ £15m school rebuild pledge

The Church has spoken out on the issue of child poverty (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Struggling West Lothian households receive millions in support

The vape store at 211 High Street, Linlithgow, pictured last winter.

Vape shop sign made high street look like 'Poundshop Las Vegas'

Edinburgh Road, Bathgate will see major changes including the replacement of traffic islands with proper crossings and the introduction of cycle lanes.

Works underway on long-awaited improvements to busy road
Main road into Bathgate will see changes including new cycle lanes
Stuart Sommerville

The vacant site in Glendevon Park was occupied by flats a decade ago.

Green light for dozens of new affordable homes in Winchburgh

Homes under construction. Photo (stock image)

New housing development to be built in north Livingston

Roads network manager Gordon Brown and Councillor Tom Conn centre, with crews operating the new Pothole Pro machines, seen in the background.

Big increase in permanent repairs to potholed roads

Fly-tipping including branches from residential tree lopping and builders material was dumped at Linlithgow leisure centre and at sites around the town.

£10,000 worth of fines to fly-tippers already this year in county

The derelict Heather Inn in Longridge. Plans were lodged to convert it into an accommodation unit of 14 single rooms.

Plans to convert derelict village pub into short-term let rejected

Archbishop Leo Cushley pictured with lawyer Gerry Bann, right , who opened St Kentigern's Academy, Also pictured is council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick, senior education staff senior pupils and headteacher Gerry Burns.

Archbishop leads dedication of rebuilt high school

Winchburgh Academy was paid for by developer contributions

Row over West Lothian school catchment changes as parents raise fears

This photo of Abercorn Church was taken by reader Betty Brodie while on a walk with Stirling, Falkirk & District Ramblers.

Safety work at historic West Lothian cemetery branded a 'desecration'

School classroom with blackboard

Alarm as primary school rolls forecast to drop across West Lothian

In the 2023/24 tax year around 70 per cent of the money placed in ISAs was kept in cash (Picture: John Devlin)

More than £610,000 paid out in crisis grants in West Lothian last year

Parking continues to be a bone of contention in the busy and congested Linlithgow High Street.

Boy racers causing 'major disturbance' on historic high street
Night-time patrols to target speeding and 'popping exhausts' in Linlithgow
Stuart Sommerville

West Lothian village secures funding for dedicated project worker

Xcite backed down from the plans after instructors raised concerns

Leisure trust backs down over private swimming lesson changes

There have been no request for Gaelic-medium education in the last three years

West Lothian to launch new five-year plan to boost Gaelic language

Residents in Peterborough live, on average, 3.32 minutes from the nearest vape shop

Over a dozen West Lothian stores fined in vape and tobacco crackdown

Access to the new estate will be her through what is currently a farm gate at the head of Station Mews, in Kirknewton.

Plans approved for 43 new village homes despite objections from locals

People in high risk groups are being encouraged to get their spring Covid booster. Pic: Jeff J Mitchell

West Lothian vaccine uptake rates outperform Scottish average

The new house would occupy a similar position to the existing tractor shed.

Councillor backs man's appeal over house plan rejection

The former animal attraction at Beecraigs will be marketed as a tenantable farm, with steading buildings and grazing.

Councillors welcome farm plan for Beecraigs Country Park

Number of council house rentals increases in opening months of year

Council headquarters at the West Lothian Civic Centre in Livingston

West Lothian Council invests £1m to speed up empty home turnarounds

Midhope Castle, near South Queensferry, is Lallybrock, Jamie's ancestral home in Outlander. The 16th Century fortress is found in the grounds of Hopetoun House.

Outlander and shopping help boost West Lothian economy to nearly £300m

Armadale's Nursery has been in private hands for more than 20 years. Various plans to convert or demolish it have come to nothing.

Deadlock on former nursery site

Councillor calls on Holyrood to foot £7m school transport bill

Proposed on-street parking will be free for the first 30 minutes, with a charge of £1 for up to an hour and £2.50 for a maximum of two hours.

Council urged to speed up rollout of parking fines in Linlithgow

The former nursery school in Armadale.

Holyrood to decide whether crumbling nursery school will be demolished

School pupils should not be allowed to muck around on their mobile phones in the classroom (Picture: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Pupils defend mobiles as 'essential' for learning at new secondary

The homeowners has been saved tens of thousands of pounds in tree surveys.

Councillors amend planning conditions to save homeowner £40,000

The Jim Walker Partnership Centre (Bathgate Partnership Centre) in South Bridge Street.

Bathgate council hub targeted in nightly youth 'invasion'

Lord Provost's tribute to Scott Hastings at council meeting

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