Midlothian Council has announced a series of public information events in May and June to allow people to express their views on the future use of land across the region and to find out about the next Midlothian Local Development Plan (MLDP2).

There will also be the opportunity to talk about open spaces and play opportunities in your area to the Midlothian Council Local Development Plan team.

The six drop-in events are:

• Thursday 04 May – 1pm to 7pm at Gorebridge Library, 98 Hunterfield Road, Gorebridge, EH23 4TT

• Tuesday 09 May - 1pm to 7pm at Loanhead Library, The Loanhead Centre, George Avenue, Loanhead, EH20 9LA

• Thursday 11 May - 1pm to 7pm at Dalkeith Library, 2 White Hart Street, Dalkeith, EH22 1AE

• Tuesday 23 May - 1pm to 7pm at Lasswade Library, The Lasswade Centre, 19 Eskdale Drive, Bonnyrigg, EH19 2LA

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• Thursday 25 May - 1pm to 7pm at Newtongrange Library, St Davids, Newtongrange, EH22 4LG

• Thursday 01 June - 1pm to 7pm at Penicuik Library, Carlops Road, Penicuik, EH26 9EP

A local development plan is a statutory document required by Scottish Government that sets out how local places will change in the future. The plan indicates where development and regeneration can take place and where it should not. The development plan sets out policies and proposals which helps guide decisions on planning applications. Development plans describe where new homes and workplaces will be built, how services and facilities will be provided, and identify the places we value that should be protected.

In February 2023, the council's planning committee agreed to start preparing for the next Local Development Plan for Midlothian (MLDP2). The current plan was adopted on 07 November 2017.

The first step in this process is getting information about the area from local people who live and work in Midlothian. What local people tell the MLDP2 team will help them write an evidence report on which to base the new plan.

As well as the drop-in sessions, the team will also be speaking to organisations including the voluntary sector, businesses, developers, land owners, national agencies and representative bodies.

Community groups will also be helping prepare Local Place Plans (LPP). These LPPs will allow community bodies to set out their own proposals for the development or use of their area.