An application has been submitted to Midlothian Council's Planning Committee for new slope developments at Midlothian Snowsports Centre at Hillend.

Midlothian Council hopes to appoint a contractor and break ground on the project before the end of December this year and scheduling of the works is planned to ensure a virtually uninterrupted service throughout the winter.

The proposed developments will cost around £1/2million in the form of funding from Scotland's national agency for sport, Sportscotland.

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Planned improvements include an additional 210 metre slope on the hill, 80 metres of new nursery slope, extension and improvement work to the existing nursery slopes with new, safer ski matting, new snowtubing runs and the installation of two new travellator uplift systems.

Leader of Midlothian Council, Councillor Derek Milligan, said: "These plans for around £500,000 worth of improvements are an exciting next-step in the continued development of Midlothian Snowsports Centre at Hillend. If the plans get the necessary planning consents we expect customers to be able to use the existing facilities and slopes as normal throughout the winter."

Chief Executive of sportscotland Stewart Harris said: "This proposed development is an excellent example of how our partnership with local authorities can find local solutions to sports facility development. The investment in the Midlothian Snowsport Centre will ensure its future and help it attract visitors of all ages."

(JG/BMcC)