Updated plans for the regeneration of Dalkeith town centre have been released, with a key change involving the relocation of Dalkeith Library and Arts Centre into Midlothian House, the council headquarters.

This strategic move will enable a larger area to be redeveloped in the initial phases of the town centre's transformation.

Councillors at a recent full Council meeting were informed that the expanded regeneration boundary will now encompass the Children and Families and Communities, Lifelong Learning and Employability offices on Eskdaill Court.

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Reiach & Hall Architects, the council's master planners, have developed the revised proposals. These plans could deliver up to 74 new flats and approximately 500 square metres of retail space within the town centre. A detailed business case for these proposals will now be developed.

Buildings situated outside the newly defined initial redevelopment boundary, indicated by dotted lines in the plans, will not be redeveloped in this phase but are slated for refurbishment under a separate funding programme.

The first phase of the regeneration will also see the external fabric of Midlothian House restored and a new customer hub created on the ground floor of the building. This hub will integrate the relocated library and arts centre, centralising services for residents.

A planning application for the Midlothian House works is expected to be submitted in the coming weeks.