A £2.5 million town regeneration project which includes a training promise has been launched.

The Dalkeith Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) and Conservation Area Partnership Scheme (CARS) is aimed at regenerating and enhancing the historic town centre.

The objective being to aim grant and funding towards restoring and enhancing important historic buildings that are at risk i.e. in a poor state of repair and in danger of being badly neglected and lost. The Scheme in Dalkeith is a partnership between Historic Scotland; Heritage Lottery Fund; Midlothian Council; and Dalkeith Business Renewal.

Councillor Russell Imrie, Midlothian Council cabinet member with responsibility for the regeneration, said: "The £2.5million Dalkeith THI/CARS has made significant steps since its launch in Spring 2010 and we are about to enter a very exciting period for the project.

"The project is wider than the proposed regeneration of Dalkeith's historic town centre, a training programme is also under development. These training elements will not only benefit the local architecture through the use of traditional techniques but also the skills development of the local workforce."

A Scottish Government grant has also been awarded from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund to enhance Dalkeith High Street focusing on upgrading the public realm, providing improved pedestrian space with high quality materials in sympathy with the character of the conservation area.

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The overall Scheme encourages high quality design and restoration work, using traditional construction techniques and materials and imaginative use of redundant buildings and vacant floor space.

An important element of the Scheme is a training plan. A training provider will be appointed to help develop a training programme for building professionals, building contractors, home owners and the wider community including schools and community groups in traditional building techniques, use of materials and a deeper understanding and appreciation of the history and heritage of Dalkeith.

Key buildings have been identified as priority projects for the Scheme:

-The Tolbooth

Category A listed building constructed in the early 18th Century, was funded by the Duke of Buccleuch and was in use as a key public building, serving as a jail and trading centre in The Royal Burgh of Dalkeith. A school room was provided together with an armory for the local volunteer corps.

The building is now used as offices by a church charity and is in need of repair and restoration.

-The Cross Keys Hotel

Category B listed building dating from 1804, a three storey coaching inn. Historically together with St Nicholas Church and Apse and The Tolbooth it can be seen as part of the most important group of buildings at the historic core of Dalkeith. It is significant in terms of the continuity of use. However it is now vacant and deteriorating badly.

-1-3 Musselburgh Road

Category B listed building dating from 1820 onwards. The buildings and the surrounding stone boundary wall are important in townscape terms. The building wall is in poor condition. The whole forms an important gateway to the entrance to the town centre from the north east.

-The Corn Exchange

The Corn Exchange, category A listed, was built in 1853. Designed by the architect David Cousin. It is a key building on the east side of the High Street, Jacobean in style with twin gables and hood rounded entrance provides a focus from the street. It was the largest indoor grain market in Scotland and was opened in 1854. It is now semi vacant and on the market.

-High Street Buildings

Priority groups of stone tenement listed buildings are identified in the High Street dating from the mid 19th century with many interesting architectural features and details. Many of these buildings have suffered from unsympathetic alterations and poor shop front additions. Some are in a poor state of repair and there is a vacant shop space on the upper floors of many of the properties.

The Scheme was officially launched on April 15th with a week and a half of events, talks, exhibition, walks and schools/youth projects. The Scheme will be delivered over a 3 year-5 year period.

(GK)