Plans for Tesco in Broxburn get green light

A CONTROVERSIAL plan for a new Tesco development in Broxburn has been given the green light.

The 4620 square metre store was granted planning permission despite objections from three community councils, a local traders association and Sainsbury’s, which also wants to move into the town.

However, others have welcomed the retail giant.

Broxburn councillor Alex Davidson spoke in favour of the plan at yesterday’s meeting of West Lothian Council’s development management committee.

He said: “It’s 250 jobs — there was no way I was going against that. I’ve said to Tesco they should get on with it.”

The store would be built on the old candleworks site, between Greendykes Road and Clarkson Road.

Planning permission was also granted in principle for a 4.4 hectare 100-home residential development on the land.

A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “The proposals bring a number of environmental, visual, economic and physical benefits for the area and increase overall retail choice within Broxburn.”

The site has been empty since the 1990s and was Scotland’s first oil shale works.