The Scottish Government

Name

Christopher Long

Job title

Organisation

Linlithgow Civic Trust

Address

14 Friars Way, Linlithgow, West Lothian, EH496AX

Telephone

01506 843461

Fax

Email

chair@lct.ora.uk

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Development Plans Development Management Development on the Ground Community Involvement

Title of entry

A Vision for Linlithgow

Professional knowledge Innovation Management Sustainable development

Partnership Community interest Regeneration Customer satisfaction

• The preparation of an achievable, professional alternative development plan or 'Vision' for Linlithgow, achieved through available planning and architectural expertise and through partnership with other groups within the royal burgh.
• The 'Vision' document formed the basis and substance of a formal objection to the finalised West Lothian Local Plan and has been considered by the Inquiry Reporter (whose verdict is awaited).
• The Plan recognises that significant town expansion is inevitable and makes maximum effort to extract community benefit from the land value associated with that inevitability.

Keeping an eye on the town of Linlithgow since 1971, the Linlithgow Civic Trust over recent years has grown increasingly concerned at the lack of constructive thinking by the planning authorities. Problems included the Council's poorlyimplemented and probably futile policy of 'planning restraint', unchecked traffic congestion, inadequate car parking, an unwillingness to improve the historic environment of the town centre, the lack of recognition of the tourist potential of the town, a shortfall in school capacity, a lack of mainstream social rented housing, a lack of 'affordable' private housing and inadequate community, cultural, recreational, youth and health facilities for the size of the town.

• A thorough scrutiny of the requirements of the town.
• To engage with members of different groups in the town (such as the Linlithgow Community Council, traders, Spokes etc.) in the development of an innovative, achievable local plan presenting a comprehensive vision for Linlithgow's future.
• To lodge the 'Vision' as a viable alternative at the Local Plan Inquiry.
• To publicise the 'Vision' in the local press and on the website of the Trust ( www.lct.ora.uk) and to deliver a summary to every household in the town.

• Finalised West Lothian Local Plan put 'on deposit' to give opportunity for public objection - May 2005.
• Discussions and consultations within the town - June to October 2005.
• Development of alternative plan, the Vision for Linlithgow - August to Dec. 2005.
• Submission of 'Vision' to Council - December 2005.
• Distribution of the condensed version of the 'Vision' - summer 2006.
• Outcome from the planning Reporter -likely to be published in late 2007.

• Topic groups were established to consider local issues.
• Draft 'Vision' document prepared by the Trust's Executive Committee with overall co-ordination and format by a chartered town planner, then the Trust's Chairman.
• Consultations with members of the Council, community groups in the town and the entire membership of the Linlithgow Civic Trust.
• Publication of an agreed 'Vision' document followed by distribution by Trust members of a more general condensed version to all the households in the town. Copy posted on the Trust's website.

• The Linlithgow Civic Trust has been the prime mover behind this unique initiative. Through years of monitoring planning proposals for the town, the Trust has a pivotal role in Linlithgow and is extensively consulted by West Lothian Council on planning related matters.
• Role of other local organisations outlined above under 'Aims and Objectives'.

• An innovative and workable planning document has been produced which challenges the lack of vision of the local planning authority.
• There has been no publicly expressed dissent from the Trust's 'Vision', further to press publicity and the distribution of details of the proposals to all households.
• This document has become the established aspiration of amenity groups in the town for the future of Linlithgow.
• Closer working together of amenity groups within the town, united to address the problems identified in the production of the plan and identified in the 'Vision'.

• The 'Vision for Linlithgow' is a high-quality planning document prepared entirely voluntarily and it shines as a challenge to what is considered to be the disinterested and unimaginative planning approach of the local council.
• The 'Vision' applies the principles of 'planning gain' on a large scale so that an entire town may benefit to maximum, sustainable, advantage.
• The 'Vision' is a genuine community initiative. The inhabitants of the town have been fully informed of its contents to an extent not attempted by the local planning authority.

125m August 2007