Plans for plush new restaurant thrown out due to impact on woodland

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Plans for a split level restaurant with a balcony overlooking woodlands in Murieston have been rejected over concerns about the impact.The plan was first discussed two months ago, but delayed over concerns about parking problems the new building would create at the Bankton shopping centre in Murieston on the southern fringe of Livingston.Having compiled detailed studies of parking in the area,which showed there would be little impact from customer use of the cafe and restaurant, Z1 properties returned to the council chambers this week hoping to convince the DMC of their plans.But it was the impact - not on the shopping area or parking - but on the surrounding woodland and a footpath through the woods which prompted local councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick, fearing damage to the woodlands, particularly to the root systems of mature trees surrounding the site, to recommend refusal.He was backed up by Bathgate councillor, the SNPs Pauline Stafford who had pointed out that the split level design and balcony would intrude onto a popular pathway through woods which is also used as a safe route to school.Councillor Stafford had expressed concerns when the plan was last discussed that access to the path would be disrupted by the development.She told West Lothian’s Development Management Committee this week that it had been a debate between encouraging development and successful businesses and safeguarding land as open space.Councillor Stafford added: “This building is really well designed.

It’s lovely, and I would use a building like this if it was there. But I think we do have to start thinking about how we value green spaces and access to open spaces.“One of the unique things about Livingston is that you go for a walk and feel