**Anger in West Lothian as Scottish Government Approves Plans for Homes on War Memorial Site**
In a controversial move, the Scottish Government has given its approval for the development of a hillside site in a West Lothian town, where a war memorial field once stood. The site holds significant historical and emotional value as it was previously home to Bathgate’s war memorial, where the ashes of many old soldiers from the First and Second World Wars were scattered.
The decision to allow the development, which includes plans for new homes, has sparked outrage among local residents and community leaders. Despite strong objections, including from the community council, the Scottish Government has backed the plans, paving the way for construction to begin on the site.
Until 1995, the land off Napier Avenue served as a memorial site, featuring a war memorial built in 1925. The site also housed Veterans’ Cottages for disabled veterans and their families. However, the proposed development by TM Land Purchases has been met with opposition due to concerns about the practicality and safety of building homes on the steep hills and narrow streets of the site.
In response to the approval of the plans, residents have vowed to resist the development and are exploring legal avenues to challenge the decision. The community council is investigating whether the land was originally designated as Common Good and should never have been sold by the local council. They are also revisiting a previous rejection of development on the site by the Scottish Government due to accessibility issues.
Councillor Harry Cartmill, who has been leading the opposition, expressed his determination to fight against what he described as a disregard for democracy and disrespect for the memory of the veterans who once inhabited the site. The community is rallying together to ensure that the site’s historical significance is preserved and respected.
The controversy surrounding the approval of the housing plans has reignited discussions about the importance of protecting historical and memorial sites in the face of development pressures. As the community continues to voice its opposition, the battle to preserve the legacy of the war memorial site in West Lothian rages on.