Livingston FC moves to buy arena

Livingston Football Club rents its stadium at the moment

A West Lothian football club is trying to buy its home stadium from the council in a multi-million pound deal.

Livingston FC has been given approval to make an offer for Almondvale Stadium as long as it continues to be used for professional football.

The football club is about to enter the fourth year of a 50-year lease for the West Lothian Council-owned venue.

It is thought the sale would reflect market value for the stadium and would be priced between £3m and £4m.

West Lothian Council is supporting the club's move to buy Almondvale Stadium.

Our main goal is to secure the future of senior professional football at Almondvale Stadium Peter Johnston West Lothian Council leader

But any deal would be subject to a number of conditions to safeguard the council's future interests.

These include reaching an agreement on a purchase price and the continued use of the stadium for playing professional football and compatible commercial purposes.

The club hopes that the proposed purchase would lead to further investment and development of Almondvale Stadium.

Peter Johnston, West Lothian Council leader, said: "We have agreed to grant the request from Livingston Football Club for an option to buy Almondvale Stadium.

"Our main goal is to secure the future of senior professional football at Almondvale Stadium.

"We will be imposing a number of conditions to safeguard the council's interests in the future use of the stadium. The sale option will be granted for a period of three years."