Property Management & Development

What we do

Our main responsibility is to manage those properties that are owned by West Lothian Council, but which aren't used for the direct delivery of council services.  We also manage the council's headquarter buildings, and provide professional property advice and support to other council services.  We are involved in the provision of new sites and properties to encourage the economic development of West Lothian. 

• We sell and lease council property
• We can tell you if the council owns a particular property
• We grant access across council land for the utility services
• We are involved in new developments
• We manage the council's Headquarter Buildings
• We provide advice and assistance on property matters to council services

Further details on each of these areas can be found below.

We sell and lease council property  

Development sites and surplus properties  We have a programme for the sale of development sites - mainly for residential use -  and properties that are surplus to the council's needs.  These properties are usually advertised for sale on the open market, with a closing date for the submission of formal offers.  You can find out what we currently have on the market by going to our Property Search page, and entering "West Lothian Council" as the agent.  Please note that we do not generally have individual house plots for sale - and any that do become available will be offered for sale in the manner outlined above.

Garden Ground  We respond to requests from local residents for the purchase of amenity land for the extension of their private garden ground.  If you want to find out more details please contact us.  Alternatively download our information leaflet and application form.

Industrial and business development sites  The council has a small stock of land for development for industrial or office use, falling under planning Use Classes 4, 5 and 6.    Sites are allocated to migrant and expanding local businesses for their expansion and terms and conditions of sale are negotiated directly with the business.  We are also a partner in the development of new business parks at Heartlands, Whitburn, and at Riddochhill, Bathgate.  For more information contact us.

Commercial property for lease  We manage and let over 500 office, industrial and retail properties throughout West Lothian.  These include:

• Business starter units suitable for a variety of light industrial and office uses
• Approximately 220 small industrial units from 90 to 180 sq.m (c 1000 to 2000 sq. ft),  which are let on easy in, easy out terms
• Over 40 larger industrial units of 180 to 3100 sq.m (c 2000 to 33000 sq.ft.)
• Office accommodation in multi-storey blocks and modern self-contained buildings
• In excess of 100 shops, in both prime locations and local shopping parades.

To find out more visit our Council Property page.  You can also find out what is currently available for lease through our Property Search - by selecting the size and type of property you are looking for, and entering "West Lothian Council" as the agent, you can see if we have any property that meets your needs.

We can tell you if the council owns a particular property

Property Management and Development (PM&D) maintains computerised records of all properties owned by West Lothian Council, including an Ordnance Survey based Geographical Information System. All enquiries about property or ground ownership and requests for information on boundary issues should be directed to us.

Contact Brian Chrystal on 01506 775749 or email - brian.chrystal@westlothian.gov.uk, giving the address or location of the property. Unfortunately only information on council ownership is available. This service is free of charge

However, enquiries regarding the management and maintenance of grass, landscaping and open space - for example communal amenity or landscaped areas - should be directed to NETS and Land Services. (Contact the Customer Service Centre on 01506 775000 who will pass your enquiry to the responsible officer.)

Related Web Sites:

Registers of Scotland (new window)

We grant access across council land for the utility services

The council's formal consent is required for the laying of any utility or service - such as power, water or drainage - across land in our ownership.  These consents are known wayleaves or servitudes and will be processed by Property Management and Development on request.  For more information contact us.

We are involved in new developments

To support the growth of the West Lothian economy we are involved in projects for the provision of new industrial sites and buildings.

• We have recently completed a new development of business starter units at East Mains Industrial Estate, Broxburn.  The units, which are 75 to 150 sq.m and are suitable for a variety of light industrial and office uses, are let on easy in, easy out terms.
• We have helped our partners, the Cockburn Trust, with the funding of the renovation of the historic Blackburn House as a centre for the Creative Industries.
• We are partners with Ecosse Regeneration in the preparation of the 100 acre Heartlands Business Park, to the south of the M8, at Whitburn.
• A rehabilitation of the former Riddochhill Colliery at Bathgate with Waystone Hall Ltd, will create extensions to both the J4M8 Distribution Park, and to Whitehill Industrial Estate.

With our colleagues in Economic Development we also provide information, advice and assistance on property availability to new, indigenous, migrant and inward investing businesses.  For more information contact us.

We manage the council's Headquarter Buildings

A substantial number of the council's office staff, based in properties at Livingston, Bathgate and Linlithgow, as well as elected members and visitors, are our internal customers.  Our objective is to provide an effective and efficient facilities management function for all occupiers of Headquarters Buildings during all normal working hours and also when required outwith these times. e.g. overtime, member's surgeries, special projects etc.  This involves many aspects of maintenance, repair, health and safety, fire safety, control of asbestos at work, compliance with disability discrimination legislation, recycling, and energy management.  For more information contact us.

We provide advice and assistance on property matters to council services

We help other Council services maximise the effective and efficient use of their property.  We address corporate property issues, such as the assessment of the council's properties for Non-Domestic rates and the valuation of its property assets.

We will help other services with:

• Rating valuations and appeals
• The valuation of land and property
• Property acquisition
• The management of Landlord and Tenant issues where properties are held on lease from private landlords
• The provision of expert advice on property issues.