Consultation - Draft Conservation Area Appraisals (CAAs)

Conservation areas are areas which have special architectural or historic interest that are considered worthy of protection.

It is a statutory requirement in terms of the Planning Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas (Scotland) Act 1997 for local authorities to periodically review conservation area designations and consider whether they remain appropriate.

The Council has prepared 8 Draft Conservation Area Appraisals (CAAs) to identify and record the many historic assets and features which make these places special and which will also help decide if their boundaries remain appropriate or should be changed.

In the case of the conservation areas in Broxburn, Kirknewton, Livingston Village, Mid Calder and Uphall, the Draft CAA's propose to amend their boundaries. This means that some additional properties may be included and others may be removed.

The main practical consequence of a property being included in a conservation area is the removal of 'permitted development' rights. This means that minor external alterations that would otherwise not have required planning permission, for example alterations to a roof; installing a dormer or a roof light, replacing windows; stone cleaning and painting the exterior of a building would almost certainly require the Council's formal approval prior to such works being carried out.

In the event that the proposed changes to the conservation area boundary are subsequently approved, affected properties will again be notified and provided with additional guidance and information explaining the application procedure at that time.

This exercise will also inform preparation of a new Local Development Plan (LDP2) and assist in the assessment of planning applications.

You are invited to comment on any of the Draft Conservation Area Appraisals by clicking on the relevant links below.

Draft CAA - Broxburn (PDF, 1 MB)(opens new window)

Draft CAA - Gowanbank (PDF, 966 KB)(opens new window)

Draft CAA - Kirknewton (PDF, 1 MB)(opens new window)

Draft CAA - Linlithgow Palace and High Street (PDF, 1 MB)(opens new window)

Draft CAA - Livingston Village (PDF, 1 MB)(opens new window)

Draft CAA - Mid Calder (PDF, 2 MB)(opens new window)

Draft CAA - Uphall (PDF, 2 MB)(opens new window)

Draft CAA - Upper Linlithgow and Union Canal (PDF, 2 MB)(opens new window)

A Conservation Area Appraisal for Bangour Village Hospital was initiated but it was subsequently determined that due to ongoing site redevelopment, it would be premature and difficult to analyse and come to robust conclusions on its character and appearance. Consequently, it has been proposed deferring this appraisal for a period of 18- 24 months. You are instead invited to comment on the:

Draft Bangour Village Hospital Conservation Area Interim Review (PDF, 432 KB)(opens new window)

A Conservation Area Appraisal for the Torphichen conservation area has not been undertaken due to it having only quite recently been comprehensively reviewed and it has instead been afforded a "light-touch" review concentrating on the definition of the boundary and appropriateness of the Article 4 Direction. You are instead invited to comment on the:

Draft Torphichen Conservation Area Boundary and Management Review (PDF, 300 KB)(opens new window)

Comments on any of the above documents should be submitted by 12 Noon on Friday 23 October 2026. Please email responses to DPgeneral@westlothian.gov.uk

Note: Any comments you submit will be made public. If you want to remain anonymous, please ensure that you make this clear in your submission.

Physical copies of the documents are also available to view at the following locations during their normal opening hours: 

West Lothian Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, EH54 6FF (for all CAAs, Torphichen Boundary and Management Review, Bangour Village Hospital Review and Abercorn/Hopetoun "Potential for conservation area designation")

Linlithgow Library: Tam Dalyell House, Partnership Centre, 93 High Street, Linlithgow, EH49 7EZ (for the Linlithgow and Gowanbank CAAs and the Torphichen Boundary and Management Review)

Broxburn Library: 189A West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5LH (for the Broxburn and Uphall CAAs and the Bangour Village Hospital "Interim Review")

East Calder Library: 139 Main Street, East Calder, EH53 0EP (for the Mid Calder and Kirknewton CAAs)

Almondbank Library: Almondbank Centre, Shiel Walk, Craigshill, Livingston, EH54 5EH (for the Livingston Village CAA)

Finally, you are invited to complete a short online questionnaire about conservation areas Conservation Area Appraisals (2026) Questionnaire 

Should you have any questions regarding the documents which are being consulted on please contact the Development Planning and Environment team, either by email at DPgeneral@westlothian.gov.uk or by post at West Lothian Council, Development Planning & Environment, Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston EH54 6FF.

For further information on how the information you provide will be used please read our Privacy Notice 

_{This page was last updated:11 September 2026}