MP visits site of proposed West Calder AI Energy Campus
Livingston MP Gregor Poynton has visited the former Freeport Shopping Village near West Calder to meet with the developers behind proposals for a new AI Energy Campus and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
Gregor visited the site to meet with Apatura, the developer behind the proposals, and to better understand the scale, layout and potential impact of the proposed development.
The proposed AI Energy Campus would largely occupy the footprint of the former Freeport shopping village and its associated car park, with additional space proposed adjacent to the site for battery energy storage.
While parts of the proposed site fall within the neighbouring Bathgate and Linlithgow constituency, the site's location close to West Calder means there has been significant local interest in the proposals from residents, community groups and organisations across West Calder and the wider Livingston constituency.
Gregor has stressed that the project has the potential to bring significant investment and employment opportunities to West Lothian, but that these potential benefits must be balanced against local concerns and the need for appropriate environmental safeguards.
He has raised the importance of properly understanding and addressing the potential environmental impacts of the proposals, including biodiversity, infrastructure and the wider impact on the surrounding area. He has emphasised that the necessary environmental assessments must be fully undertaken before any development takes place.
Gregor has also asked the developer about the level of community benefit that could be provided to the local area. He has begun connecting Apatura with local organisations in West Calder and across West Lothian to explore potential projects and financial support that could deliver a lasting benefit for the community.
Gregor Poynton MP said: “Investment and good jobs are welcome in West Lothian, but any development must work for local communities and protect our environment.
“I recently visited the former Freeport site to meet with the developers and see the proposals for myself. It was useful to walk through the site and get a much better understanding of the proposed layout and scale of the development.
“The main part of the proposal would use the footprint of the former shopping centre and car park, alongside additional space for battery storage. There is potential for a project of this scale to bring significant investment and employment opportunities to West Lothian.
“However, those potential benefits must be balanced against the concerns being raised by local residents. I have made clear to the developer that issues around the environment, biodiversity, infrastructure and the impact on the surrounding area must be properly considered and addressed.
“It is also important that the local community sees tangible benefits from a project of this scale. I have therefore raised community benefit directly with the developer and have started connecting them with local organisations in West Calder and across West Lothian to explore what projects and financial support could be provided to benefit the area.
“While parts of the proposed site fall within the neighbouring Bathgate and Linlithgow constituency, its location close to West Calder means I fully understand the significant local interest in these plans and the concerns that have been raised.
“Planning is a devolved matter and any application will ultimately need to go through the appropriate Scottish planning and environmental processes. I do not believe it would be right to pre-judge that process.
“My role is to make sure local voices are heard, that the potential economic opportunities are properly understood, and that legitimate concerns are addressed. I will continue to engage with the developer, local residents and organisations as these proposals develop.”