West Lothian is grappling with a persistent housing shortage, despite outpacing most Scottish local authorities in constructing new homes. The region ranks third in the number of new houses built since 2000, with over 1,000 new homes added in 2024 alone.
However, only a quarter of these were classified as affordable, barely making a dent in the county’s waiting list of more than 11,000. Concerns are being raised that the concentrated development around Edinburgh cannot be sustained without significant infrastructure investments from the Scottish Government.
This comes as Midlothian’s Labour group leader recently warned that his council would have to declare itself “full”. The latest figures reveal that new housebuilding starts across Scotland have plummeted to their lowest level since 2012, despite the government declaring a national housing emergency in 2024.
West Lothian has seen a 28% increase in homes between 2001 and 2023, surpassing the national growth rate of 17%, with only East Lothian and Midlothian experiencing more rapid development. Over the past five years, West Lothian has seen the development of almost 5,000 new homes, providing buyers with a wider range of choices.
Between 2018 and 2024, the yearly rate of home building in West Lothian has grown from 875 to 997 units on average. 2024 saw West Lothian’s overall housing construction, considering all forms of tenure, rise to 1088, with 275 of those labelled as “affordable”, accounting for 25% of the total number.
A spokesperson from West Lothian Council said: “The delivery of new social housing remains an ongoing commitment from the council and the development of new units is progressing well across a number of locations in West Lothian.
“Since 2022, 1,208 homes have been completed in the affordable housing programme by the council and Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) in West Lothian.
“All types of social housing in West Lothian, whether council or RSL, are currently in very high demand and as a result, anyone considering applying for social housing in West Lothian is strongly encouraged to ensure that they register not just with the council, but with all Registered Social Landlords who operate in West Lothian.”
West Lothian’s proximity to Edinburgh is a factor in its increased housing demand, creating pressure on it and other local councils to deal with a rise in the number of planning applications and demand for potential building sites.
This growth in new home construction, alongside the commitment of the council to further develop its social housing stock, comes at a time when pressure is building upon West Lothian’s authorities to meet housing need as demand for all types of housing increases year after year. While a quarter of all new development in West Lothian must be “affordable”, the majority of approved homes are significantly pricier, leading to an expanding housing list and strained financial resources for more social housing.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service highlighted last week concerns in Midlothian regarding the focus of development.
Labour group leader and former council leader Derek Milligan has argued that without further investment, the county cannot sustain the provision of housing sites to meet government targets.
Following Midlothian council’s planning committee’s endorsement of new sites for potential development last month, Councillor Milligan, who opposed the additional housing, warned of the consequences of continued building without corresponding enhancements to infrastructure.
He remarked: “If we carry on like this Midlothian is going to be full”.
West Lothian’s housing forecasts anticipate the construction of another 12,000 homes by the end of the next decade.
A spokesperson for the council informed the LDRS: “The council has begun the process of preparing a new Local Development Plan for West Lothian – LDP2.”
They added: “The new plan will set out planning policies and proposals for the use and development of land including setting an ambitious target to deliver an additional 12,500 new homes across West Lothian a minimum of 25% of which will be affordable.”