How many planning applications has West Lothian Council received?

West Lothian Council received 596 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 80%.

How long does West Lothian Council take to decide planning applications?

West Lothian Council takes an average of 69 days to decide planning applications. The statutory target is 8 weeks (56 days) for householder and minor applications, and 13 weeks for major applications.

What is the planning approval rate for West Lothian Council?

West Lothian Council approves 80% of planning applications. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

How do I search West Lothian Council planning applications?

You can search West Lothian Council planning applications by postcode on Planning Signal. Enter any postcode in the West Lothian Council area to see all nearby applications, filter by type, and track decisions in real time.

How do I object to a planning application in West Lothian Council?

To object to a West Lothian Council planning application, you must submit your representation to West Lothian Council during the public consultation period — typically 21 days from the date the application was publicised. Planning Signal shows you the consultation deadline for each application and links directly to the West Lothian Council planning portal where objections can be submitted.

West Lothian Council Planning Applications

Search and explore West Lothian Council planning applications. Planning Signal is your free alternative to the West Lothian Council planning portal — search all recent applications, track decisions, and get alerts on new developments in the area.

Region: Scotland

About West Lothian Council

Governance

Leader: Lawrence Fitzpatrick (Labour), since 25 May 2017

Chief Executive: Graham Hope, since September 2010

Seats: 33 councillors

Last election: 5 May 2022

Political composition: Labour (11), Scottish National Party (15), Conservative (4), Liberal Democrats (1), Reform UK (1), Independent (1)

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to West Lothian Council, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for West Lothian Council
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in West Lothian Council mention key planning constraints like heritage, flood risk, and environmental concerns
Council Boundary Map - Interactive map showing the council boundary and application locations
Full Details - View complete application details, dates and decision status

Council Insights

Property Prices

Area Information

Admin district: West Lothian
Parliamentary constituency: Bathgate and Linlithgow
LSOA: Armadale McNeil Crescent

Crime Statistics

0 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications in West Lothian Council.

Ecology & Wildlife Constraints (keywords: bats, bat survey, bat roost, great crested newt, GCN...)
Trees & Landscape (keywords: tree preservation order, TPO, arboricultural, tree survey, root protection area...)
Flood & Drainage (keywords: flood zone 2, flood zone 3, flood risk assessment, FRA, surface water...)
Heritage & Conservation (keywords: listed building, grade II, grade II*, grade I, conservation area...)
Green Belt (keywords: green belt, inappropriate development, very special circumstances, openness)
Highways & Access (keywords: visibility splays, highway authority objection, access arrangement, parking provision, transport statement...)
Refusal & Risk Indicators (keywords: refusal, delegated refusal, appeal dismissed, overdevelopment, character and appearance...)
Planning Process & Appeals (keywords: appeal lodged, appeal allowed, appeal dismissed, public inquiry, inspector)

Planning Activity Summary

Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for West Lothian Council based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Towns and villages in West Lothian Council

82 towns and villages. Click any town to search for planning applications nearby.

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the West Lothian Council area.

A brief summary of West Lothian Council

West Lothian Council serves as the local government authority for the West Lothian area, overseeing planning applications and community development. It plays a crucial role in managing land use, infrastructure, and public services, ensuring that local needs and regulations are met effectively. The council is currently led by Lawrence Fitzpatrick (Labour). The council comprises 33 councillors seats, with the most recent election held on 5 May 2022.

There were no crimes reported in the West Lothian Council area during the most recent reporting period.

The council area encompasses 82 towns and villages, including Armadale, Bathgate, Linlithgow, Livingston and Whitburn. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search West Lothian Council Planning Applications

Planning Signal provides a free, fast planning search for West Lothian Council. Use the postcode search above to find planning applications near any address in the West Lothian Council area. Unlike the official West Lothian Council planning portal, Planning Signal lets you save searches, watch individual applications, and receive email alerts when decisions are made or new applications are submitted nearby.

Whether you're a resident checking West Lothian Council planning applications near your home, a homeowner tracking your own application, or a property professional monitoring the local market, Planning Signal gives you the tools to stay informed about planning and development across West Lothian Council.

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 596 planning applications West Lothian Council received. Of these, 80% were approved, with an average decision time of 69 days.

This is below the national average of approximately 87%, which may reflect stricter local policies, sensitivity of the area, or higher levels of speculative applications. Pre-application advice is particularly worthwhile in West Lothian Council.

At 69 days on average, decisions in West Lothian Council slightly exceed the 8-week statutory target for minor applications, though this is common across many councils.

The most common application types in West Lothian Council were full planning applications (346), amendments (70), advertising consent (48). Full planning applications account for 58% of all submissions, covering new builds, change of use, and works that go beyond permitted development rights.

In terms of development scale, 23 large-scale (major) developments, 449 medium-scale applications, 124 smaller schemes were submitted. The high volume of major applications indicates significant development pressure in the area, which may interest property developers and investors.

Application Outcomes

Approved: 329 applications
Refused: 67 applications
Withdrawn: 17 applications
Awaiting decision: 183 applications

Related Planning Guides

What Is Planning Permission in the UK? — Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.
What Is Permitted Development? — Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use without the need to apply for planning permission.
How Long Does Planning Permission Take? — Typical timelines for planning permission decisions in the UK, from submission to approval, and what can cause delays.