| AdminHistory | A Master Plan that outlined the development of Livingston was one of the Corporation's first major outputs in 1963 and was largely compiled by the Corporation's first Chief Architect and Planning Officer, Peter Daniels. The Master Plan was the overriding statement of the aims and principles that would guide how the town would develop. It was revised slightly in 1966. In 1977-9 a more major review was undertaken and the emphasis of the plan changed to reflect the fact that the purpose of Livingston was to no longer house overspill population from Glasgow, but to drive economic growth in the Lothians. Finally, the Master Plan was slightly amended in 1989.
The Master Plan was unusual in New Towns in that it was prepared in conjunction with the Lothians Regional Plan. The Lothian Regional Survey and Plan planned the future development of the Lothians as a whole. The Lothians Regional Survey was completed by Prof D J Robertson of Glasgow University, and Sir Robert Matthew and Professor Johnson-Marshall. The Lothian Regional Survey put Livingston at the heart of regenerating the Lothians – Livingston was to be the regional hub, with shops, leisure facilities, and jobs.
Stage A Plans were prepared under Section 6(1) of the New Towns Scotland Act, 1968. Whilst the Master Plan set out the development of Livingston in general terms, policies, and procedures, Stage A's made detailed proposals for particular areas, and in doing so interpreted the Master Plan.
Stage A Plans indicated the proposed use of land for particular sites, the density and number of houses proposed, the layout of roads and footpaths along with a rough time scale for implementation. Stage A Plans were then presented to the Scottish Office for approval by the Secretary of State for Scotland. When approved, the Corporation proceeded to implement the plan. Where there were major changes to the scheme, a revised plan had to be submitted to the Sectretary of State.
Finally, the Corporation board was the planning authority for the town. At each Board meeting Corporation staff submitted plans and drawings for proposed buildings in Livingston which required the Board's approval, as did any planning application within Livingston |