Councillors were this week wrangling over proposals to build 800 new homes on the site of the former Bangour Village Hospital.

The plans were being discussed yesterday (Wednesday) at a planning meeting but no decision was reached and the application was continued.

The application included proposals to create 800 new houses, with up to a further 91 being developed from conversions of existing listed buildings.

The plans also include a new primary school, access roads, open space and the refurbishment of 15 listed buildings and infrastructure.

The proposal submitted by NHS Lothian includes nine areas of new build housing, retained listed buildings and mature woodland.

According to the planning papers, the proposal is an opportunity to create a housing development that would be unique to Scotland. They say it would be a development that uses the attributes of the site’s natural setting and the high quality built heritage values of the listed buildings to enhance the housing choice in West Lothian.

NHS Lothian have confirmed that the council’s policy on affordable housing will be complied with and land capable of accommodating 130 council homes of the site capacity will be transferred to the council for affordable housing.

A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “The application was discussed and the council agreed to continue the application for discussions to take place.”