Miller Homes has been granted permission to build 90 new homes on open fields at Hoghill Farm.

The Scottish Government’s Division of Environmental and Planning Appeals (DPEA) overturned the council’s original decision and approved the development in January 2023.

The 20-acre site, located north of Hoghill Farm and bordering Oakbank Road, received over 100 objections when first proposed. Concerns primarily centered on the strain the development would place on local infrastructure, particularly East Calder’s already overburdened health centre.

Council officer Andrew Cotton acknowledged the challenges facing the health centre, which is in disrepair and serves more than twice the number of patients it was designed for. However, he noted that these issues could not be addressed as part of the planning decision, Insider.co.uk reports.

Miller Homes submitted revised plans detailing 86 houses and four flats.

A report to the council’s development management committee stated: “Planning permission in principle for the development of this site was refused by the West Lothian planning committee on December 16, 2021. This decision was appealed to the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division and subsequently approved on January 5, 2023.

“The principle of developing the land for residential purposes has therefore been established, and it is the layout, design, and compliance with technical requirements that are now under consideration.

“Whilst the concerns of the objectors are noted and understood, the principle of the development cannot be reconsidered; only the design, layout, and specific development details must now be evaluated.”

The updated plans, developed in consultation with housing services, include three bungalows, 14 terraced houses, two semi-detached homes, and four cottage flats to meet affordable housing requirements. The remaining 67 properties will be detached homes, six of which will feature ground-floor living spaces.