Main Street public realm works at Land At And Adjacent To Main Street, Winchburgh

What was proposed

The application proposed road changes, four bus shelters, street furniture, community open space, a community shelter, landscaping and sustainable drainage.

“Alteration to road layout, the erection of four bus shelters and street furniture, change of use of land to provide community open space, erection of a community shelter and associated landscaping and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) at Main Street, Winchburgh.”

Officer report

The site and project

The site ran along Main Street between the Union Canal bridge and traffic-calming pinch points near Bennet Wood Terrace and Bellevue.

“The proposals relate to a community led project which seeks to improve public realm on Winchburgh Main Street and improve the pedestrian, wheeling and cycling experience within this part of the village.”

“The application site extends from the bridge over the Union Canal to the west of Bennet Wood Terrace, where a traffic calming pinch point is proposed at the access to Fernlea, Nirvana and Easter Cottage, to a further traffic calming pinch point to the east between Bellevue and Rowanbank. This traffic calming pinch point will affect traffic heading west after the recently opened Hawk Hill Primary School.”

Officer report

How the scheme changed

Following objections and community meetings, the revised scheme removed traffic lights and community-garden works and added pedestrian crossings and parking bays.

“The community council requested a further meeting to allow the changes to be presented to the community. The revised drawings were made available for inspection on the planning portal and objectors were notified on Tuesday 7 April 2026. That further community council meeting was held on Thursday 9 April 2026.”

“The revised scheme removes the proposed traffic lights at the Niddry Road junction and incorporates pedestrian crossing points in their place The revised scheme also removes any proposed works to the community garden area and incorporates additional parking bays on Main Street. It is this revised scheme which is now the subject of this report and is discussed below.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the works would improve active travel and public amenity, while conditions would address specific residential impacts.

“The inclusion of additional landscaping within the street scape is generally welcomed as this can improve both the visual amenity of the area and help enhance local biodiversity. There are a number of specific points however where it is considered that the proposals have the potential to affect residents and visitors negatively and these have been set out above and in the draft conditions below.”

“Given the proposals are effectively road works and Roads and Transportation are supportive of the proposals, and notwithstanding the ongoing objections to the revised proposals, recommendation is to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions below.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Transportation, environmental health and flood-risk officers raised no objections, while ecology requested suitable planting, living roofs and agreed maintenance.

“Ecology No Trees must be suitable for streets and not have shallow roots. Rain garden plants need to be salt tolerant. Living roof bus shelters should be used. Landscape maintenance requires to be agreed.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Local residents and the community council spoke against the application, while the applicant and its consultants spoke in support.

The committee decision

The committee granted permission subject to conditions, amended the bus-shelter conditions and required further discussion about alternative locations.

“Condition 3 - to remove the bus shelter altogether and for the Planning Authority to have further discussion with the applicant with regards to having the bus stop o/s 101 Main Street to be completely removed to an alternative location. Councillor Damian Doran-Timson left the meeting before this item of business was concluded and took no further part in the meeting.”

Minutes