| AdminHistory | Livingston was planned to have a suitable blend of privately built and Corporation built housing. Areas deemed suitable for large scale residential developments were submitted to the Secretary of State for Scotland as Stage A Submissions for his approval. Minor developments which did not affect the character of an area could be given planning permission by the Corporation, which held planning authority in the designated area.
As of 1987 there were c.12000 Corporation built properties to c.1500 privately built homes within the Livingston designated area. Corporation built property was planned and designed by the technical departments (architecture, planning, engineering) with much of the construction work contracted out via a tendering process to competing firms.
The Commercial Directorate assessed potential private developments, and submitted planning permission to the Secretary of State for Scotland. These schemes were also overseen by the technical departments to ensure that certain building standards were met.
Due to the high volume of new builds in the 1960s and 1970s, and restricted finances, there were several issues with housing in Livingston and the Corporation had to undertake several refurbishment schemes, especially in Craigshill and Knighstridge. |
| ScopeandContent | Within residential areas there were, of course, some limited commercial properties - such as Shiel House and The Mall in Craigshill, and Peel House in Ladywell which were used either as offices or shop premises.
There were also a number of special category houses - such as community houses where Corporation housing stock was leased to community enterprises (such as playgroups, or the YWCA). For a time the Corporation also pursued a policy of converting garages (which were widely underused) into workshops.
This series represents files where these properties were managed from a legal perspective. The Legal Department was responsible for the drawing up of contracts and any other legal documentation that was necessary for the leasing of property to tenants.
5 subseries largely relating to the legal necessities in leasing property to commercial tenants, comprising:
1. Dedridge, Howden, Eliburn and Knightsridge, 1973-1974
2. Craigshill, 1967-1994
3. Peel House, Ladywell, 1976-1996
4. Special Category housing, 1973-1996
5. Garages and outbuildings, 1986-1992 |