Wed, Apr 23 2008
West Lothian Council is set to sell off its headquarters in Livingston.
The Council Executive has agreed to sell West Lothian House for more than £4 million to Land Securities, owners of the Almondvale shopping centre. Council staff will move out to the new Civic Centre at Livingston next year. Work on the new partnership project is progressing well and it is expected to be completed in February 2009. "West Lothian House will be surplus to our requirements when we move to the new Civic Centre," said Council Leader Peter Johnston. "The council appointed independent consultants to value West Lothian House. They confirmed that the building would not be attractive as offices and that retailing would be the most valuable alternative use for the site. "Land Securities have indicated they would be prepared to pay £4.26 million plus inflation until the date of sale. In our view this is a good offer which offers security with our financial planning for the new Civic Centre." Councillor Johnston added: "Land Securities will also pay £200,000 to the council as a contribution to improvements to the Civic Square, which will become the main pedestrian route between the Civic Centre and the Almondvale shopping centre in the future. "The Livingston South Local Area Committee will have the responsibility to take this project forward. I would like to express the council's thanks to Land Securities for this generous donation, which is another example of the close partnership working that has served Livingston so well."
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