The new prison would hold about 700 prisoners

West Lothian Council confirmed it has received an outline planning application from the Scottish Prison Service.

If granted an £80m prison will be built between Addiewell and West Calder, on the site of an old bing.

But there has been local opposition and a six-week public consultation will be held.

New jobs

West Lothian Council has backed plans for the jail, the first likely to be built as part of the Scottish Executive's prison estates review.

The jail, which would house up to 700 prisoners, is expected to bring about 400 new jobs to the area.

The final decision on whether the plan will get the go-ahead is to be made by Scottish ministers as the council has disclosed that it has a financial interest in the site chosen.

Ministers will have to take the views of local people into account and there has been strong opposition to the plan from conservationists who claim the site chosen for the new prison is covered in wild flowers that should not be destroyed.

'Open in four years'

The Addiewell "Stop the Prison" campaign said the orchid meadow must be saved if necessary by transplanting it .

And it said the council should be doing more to protect the flower that is about to become the county symbol.

A West Lothian Council spokesman confirmed a series of public exhibitions detailing the prison plans would be held in January.

He added: "We are also proposing a six-week public consultation period - which is longer than required by planning regulations - to give people an opportunity to make their views known.

"In view of the nature of the outline planning application and because the council has a financial interest in the site we will refer any decision to grant permission to ministers."