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| 01.06.07 ITS ALL GO IN WEST LOTHIAN JIM POLLOCK, CBE, the formerChief Executive of Livingston Development Corporation and the man behind JA Pollock Property Consultants, who are extremely active in West Lothian, has seen many changes over the years and is well placed to comment on the current growth the area is experiencing. After a period of modest activity the development industry in West Lothian has come alive in the last eighteen months.As a result of commitments by both the private and public sectors major projects are set to boost the local economy.The Elements shopping development (Almondvale Phase 3) by Land Securities will create Scotland's largest shopping complex, signifying the growing confidence in the area and the reinforcement of Livingston as an alternative retail destination to both Edinburgh and Glasgow.Tthe new Civic Centre at Almondvale, combining the Council Headquarters, Divisional Police Headquarters and Sheriff Court, is progressing well and will provide centralised public services to the inhabitants of what is one of Scodand's few areas with a growing population. The million square foot Tesco Distribution Centre at Deans is a major coup for the area which is already recognised as the Country's leading location for distribution„The attraction for Tesco is fairly obvious given West Lothian's central location and excellent transport links.At The Commercial Property Market in West Lothian is currently enjoying significant growth 600,000 square feet the MAX Distribution unit at J4M8 built by Gladman, is Scodand's largest speculative "big shed" and is attracting considerable interest One development that has received considerable media coverage is and the new prison at Addiewell.The establishment of this complex clearly demonstrates the area's adaptability and willingness to embrace all types of development including those that although controversial, will still benefit the local economy, have all received major media coverage. Although iln cost terms not impacting on these lar^ge developments represent investment in excess of the £200 million. However, there has also total spend on the above projects these have been a considerable amount of activity in smaller schemes. In addition to the various buildings for owner occupation on the sites released by Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothians at Whitehill, Easter Inch and Williamston North there are a number of speculative developments underway.. Including the major distribution depots identified above it is estimated that In total an excess of 2.5 million square feet of new industrial and warehouse accommodation is currently under construction or has been completed in Wsst Lothian over the last 18 months. Take up of industrial space has been buoyant over the past year. Scot Sheridan Ltd has successfully completed and let ed thea 42,000 square foot first phase industrial development at New Houstoun Business Park. Here Cupa Natural Stone occupy 25,000 square feet with a yard, with.Tile it All and HSS also leasinged two standard 5,000 square foot units. With such success Tthe developers are now on site with a further phase of 35,000 square feet in Livingston and 50,000 square feet at Easter Inch, Bathgate. Both will be available for occupation during autumn 2007.This confidence in speculative development is further demonstrated byAshwood Scotland Ltd who have successfully developed 22,000 square feet at Oakbank on a flexible specification. Seven of the eight units were sold and the eighth unit leased by the time the development was completed.The accommodation ranges from workshops to fully fitted offices with occupiers including an engineering design centre, a healthcare company and two service organisations.TThe fact that the flexibility of the developer in being was prepared to adapt the units to meet the specific needs of the occupiers has obviously proved a success.. A range of small business units for lease or purchase will also be provided throughout the area over the coming months.The acquisition of land at Easter Inch, Bathgate by Evans of Leeds and the Warrington Property Company, is further evidence of an economy on the up and the confidence of developers to build speculatively. Planning applications for both these projects are presently under consideration by West Lothian Council. Purpose built developments underway include, a new research facility at Eliburn forTepnel Life Sciences, demonstrating the area's increasing presence in this growing sector of the national economy., Nnew distribution depots at Williamston North are being developed for Move it Express, RSS Ltd and BFD Ltd. Rowan Timber Ltd and Hydraulic Hammers are about to build new depots at Easter Inch.This growth in bespoke development is replicated by other successful developments have been completed at Whitehill, Bathgate and East Mains Broxburn. Significantly, the programme of providing speculative office accommodation has also increased considerably over the last year with Cala Developments on site with Number Six at Almondvale, Business ParkAt (30,000 sq ft this is a significant new addition to Livingston Town Centre's office market Outwith the Town Centre) at Almondvale, DMI Ltd have completed the shell of a 14,000 square foot pavilion at Starlaw and Knight Developments are fitting out their third pavilion at Eliburn. Both support the increasing view that Livingston and West Lothian has considerable attraction for developers and businesses alike.market demand - has approved numerous schemes for the provision of office pavilions.These include 5 units totalling 30,000 square feet at Starlaw Park by Ashwood Scotland Ltd. Development is now on site with the first handover due during this calendar year.A further, 8 units totalling 40,000 square feet will be built by Business Homes at Houstoun where a site start is imminent Also at Houston a 30,000 square foot development by Errigal Developments Ltd is in the planning process. In addition to the multi occupation schemes at Easter Inch Bathgate, mentioned above, it is understood that further significant mixed-business use developments are planned for Heartlands Business Park and, by Gladman on the 15-acre site at Campus roundabout Eliburn. The economy ofWest Lothian has held up well through difficult times due to the area's unique ability to adapt and embrace change. With a fair wind the area will continue to prosper and remain a major contributor to the national economy. tThe investment in projects outlined above will result in the further attraction of higher value employment opportunities and herald yet another new and exiting era for Scotland's I st Capital of Enterprise. |
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