Midlothian Council has granted planning permission in principle for proposals for a mixed use development on the former site of Forrest Furnishings in the Thornybank area of Dalkeith.

Mactaggart & Mickel originally submitted an application for the development of the site in August last year following more than six months of extensive community engagement including meetings with local residents and interest groups, Dalkeith and District Community Council, local councillors and politicians, local schools and a two-day community engagement event at Dalkeith Community Centre.

The decision to grant planning permission in principle means detailed applications can now be brought forward for the various elements of the development.

These include 10.61 acres of residential development, comprising in the region of 90 new homes, 25% of which will be ‘affordable housing’, alongside commercial development which may include a local food store, small business units and offices. The development will provide local residents with improved safe cycle and pedestrian access through the site as well as potentially offering local schoolchildren a new safer route to school directly through the development.

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Subject to the time needed to secure detailed planning permission, Mactaggart & Mickel hopes to be in a position to start work on the site early next year. The construction phase of the project is expected to support around 50 jobs, while the various uses proposed for the site offer the potential to create as many as 115 permanent jobs in the longer term.

The planning permission in principle is also accompanied by a legal agreement requiring defined contributions to be made towards enhanced education provision and town centre improvements in Dalkeith.

Commenting on Midlothian Council’s decision to grant planning permission in principle, Ken Hopkins, Strategic Land Manager at Mactaggart & Mickel Homes said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Council has given the green light for these proposals to proceed to the detailed planning stage. The development should bring lasting benefits to the local community – in terms of housing, employment and amenity.

“We are very grateful for all contributions made to the earlier community engagement exercise, which have helped positively to shape our plans. There are a number of specific issues raised during that exercise, which we will be looking to address as part of the detailed planning process.

“We look forward to maintaining a positive ongoing dialogue with the local community as plans for the site take shape.”

(GK)