Midlothian Council is to continue its investment in providing affordable homes and its latest development will see outdated facilities in Loanhead replaced by new social housing.

The full council voted to close and demolish Loanhead Town Hall, subject to the satisfactory relocation of three groups using the hall, at its meeting last week.

The demolition allows the construction of additional affordable housing at the Loanhead site.

Derek Milligan, Council Leader, said: "The full council voted to continue with our policy of providing social housing to meet the shortage experienced by families and people looking for affordable housing in the Loanhead area.

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"Loanhead Town Hall has provided decades of service but it is an old building and there comes a point when you have to make hard decisions about the merits of continuing to repair outdated facilities."

Mr Milligan continued: "We are happy to continue to provide suitable alternative council facilities for the three groups which use the Town Hall in either or both of the new primary schools which opened last year in Loanhead. Loanhead and St Margaret's schools campus includes two large halls (180 sq m and 130 sq m) plus a smaller hall and the open dining area as well as community rooms which can be used by the local community."

Loanhead Town Hall currently costs an estimated £17,000 a year in utilities bills, not including capital or revenue costs, or maintenance costs.

(CD/BMcC)