A meeting of the West Lothian’s Council’s planning committee agreed with local members that allowing more development in the area would add to a transport infrastructure – including the A71 – that is already at breaking point.

Hallam Land Management was seeking planning permission in principle to build on almost 20 acres of prime farmland at Oakbank Road East Calder. The firm had argued that the site was a natural extension to the settlement of East Calder.

Agents for Hallam Land argued that West Lothian does not have adequate housing supply for the next five years.

However, West Lothian Council has long disputed this, using another recognised method of calculating land supply. Asked by Councillor Willie Boyle what type of housing would be built on the site and how it would meet new standards to help curb carbon emissions, agents said that they would work with housebuilders to whom they would sell the site.

Defending the earmarking of the A71 site, the firm said that it was providing a need where the demand was at its highest, close to transport links, the West Lothian Courier reports.

Hallam Land highlighted that among statutory consultations, there were no objections from council departments such as roads, which had suggested that conditions could be added to consent.

Nevertheless, there were 18 objections to the plans, including from East Calder Community Council who protested at the loss of open countryside.

Bathgate Councillor Mr Boyle said that the responses he had had to questions were“not good enough”.

He described the application as about “getting planning permission and then getting someone else to take it on”.

He added: “It’s purely speculative.”

Ward councillors Damian Doran Timson and Carl John moved and seconded a motion against the plans citing the strain on the surrounding infrastructure.

Councillor Doran-Timson added: “The infrastructure around East Calder is grinding to a halt.”

Councillor John said: “Out of 3000 houses planned for the area, only 1000 have been built and traffic on the A71 is nose to tail as it is. The A71 is a major problem that the council, the Scottish Government, someone has to sort this out.”