Friday February 20th 2026
Rainbow Rascals have won permission to turn this light industrial unit on Oakbank Parkway in Livingston into a multifunction play and educational centre (photo by West Lothian Council).
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
Councillors have backed plans to create a unique multifunctional play and education centre in an light industrial park on the edge of Livingston.
Planners had recommended refusal at a meeting of the Development Management Committee (DMC) citing eight contradictions of planning regulations, including that such play facilities should be located in town centres.
Backing the plans Bathgate councillor Willie Boyle responded to the planners’ assertion saying: “Livingston doesn’t have a town centre, It has a shopping mall.”
The twin sisters behind the project, named Rainbow Rascals, argued that the play and educational centre would primarily serve children with additional needs, and a busy town centre would be the wrong environment for them.
There were no objections to the plans to open the play centre at 11 Oakbank Parkway.
Planning officer Giliian Cyphus had argued that poor public transport links would mean families would have to rely on private cars to access the site which sits on Oakbank Industrial Estate on the southern fringe of Livingston.
The applicants Amy Johnson and her sister Mairi said most of their expected clients would use cars to bring their children from all over the county to the centre. There are however footpaths from housing in Muireston connecting to the site.
The centre, the first of its type in Scotland will cater for up to 50 children at a time offering music and educational programmes alongside soft play, as well as support services for families and carers.
The sisters argued that there had only been five other enquiries about the unit since it became vacant in April 2025. Two other units on the estate have lain vacant since 2024. “The reality on this estate is one of sustained vacancy and reduced demand.” said Amy Johnson
She told a meeting of West Lothian Council’s Development Management Committee : “Our goal is to create a welcoming, inclusive space in West Lothian where children of all abilities, including those with additional support needs, can play, learn and feel safe being themselves.”
There was a broad welcome from all parties to the proposals despite the list of objections from the planners.
The chair of the DMC, Councillor Harry Cartmill, recognised the sensory challenges that a town centre venue could present for some children.
He said: “There’s eight planning policies that this goes against. I wonder if you were aware of that. I have been very impressed with your presentation today. Despite planning reasons you arguably contravene, I am, like the rest of the committee, minded to grant.”
Amy added: “We’re just two mums with a dream who have looked into this. The focus point for us was being accessible for the children and for the people we were trying to bring in. We hoped there can be some discretion on this.”
“Our biggest question was: ‘How do we make this work for the children of West Lothian.’
“Space is very important, when we looked at buildings that were available in town centres the space was not adequate.”
Councillor Pauline Clark said: “It sounds like an excellent business and an excellent provision for children in West Lothian. I can only support this.
“The case here has been presented very well and I think it would be worthwhile.”
Councillor Damian Doran-Timson, the Conservative group leader praised “well made points” from Councillor Willie Boyle on infrastructure and services in the Livingston area, saying there was a lot of new housing but not much in the way of services. “I commend this application. I think this is something that is massively needed. The benefits outweigh the valuable concerns from planning.”
SNP group depute leader Councillor Pauline Stafford also recognised the importance of the planning guidance and added that it would apply had the application purely been for a soft play centre. “This is a specialised project and we know there is a demand in West Lothian.”
Councillor Boyle proposed a motion supporting the plan which was seconded by fellow SNP member Councillor Clark.
Rainbow Rascals had launched a petition ahead of their hearing seeking support which gained more than 500 supporters.
Writing on their petition page the sisters said: “We have personally witnessed the significant gap in provision for children with additional support needs across West Lothian.
“Many families have had to travel long distances or, worse, go without proper support altogether. This struggle is due to the lack of local facilities that cater for all children.
“We are passionate about creating a space where every child, regardless of their abilities, can access inclusive play and learning opportunities close to home.”
Tweet Share on Facebook
