Development plans and policies

Midlothian Local Development Plan 2

Midlothian Council is preparing the next Local Development Plan for the area: the Midlothian Local Development Plan 2 (MLDP2).  This will shape the development and use of land in the area from 2026 to 2036. In MLDP2 the Council will allocate sites for development, identify places to be protected, and set out the policies that will be used when deciding planning applications.

Progress so far

The first stage in preparing the new plan was compiling the Evidence Report. This included engaging with people living and working in Midlothian to understand their views on Midlothian as a place now and how it could develop in the future.  Infrastructure and services, including health services, public transport, community facilities, local shopping and greenspaces are the highest priorities for our communities.  Midlothian has experienced an unprecedented level of growth over recent years, and this is of very significant concern and objection to many people in Midlothian communities.  

The Evidence Report was approved by Midlothian Council on 25 June 2024 and has been submitted to the Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA), who will carry out an assessment to see if it provides a sufficient evidence base to prepare MLDP2. This process is called “Gate Check”. View the Evidence Report and supporting documents on the DPEA website.

The full Evidence Report and a shorter Summary of the Evidence Report are available here:

A Participation Report and Children and Young People Participation Report are also available, which set out how we have engaged with people since the start of the plan preparation process. Both of these were put to the Planning Committee meeting on 4 June 2024 (see agenda item 5.1).

The assessment by the DPEA of the Evidence Report is now complete. The Council was informed on 19 September 2024 that the appointed DPEA Reporter considers that the Evidence Report contains sufficient information to enable the planning authority to prepare its local development plan. Find the assessment and recommendations on the DPEA website.

Work is progressing on producing the MLDP2 Proposed Plan.

Current stage

We undertook a Call for Ideas and Opportunities to provide individuals, communities, landowners, developers or any other interested people, businesses or organisations with the chance to put forward ideas, opportunities or suggestions on matters or sites they would like to have included in MLDP2. We are currently at stage 5 of the Plan (MLDP2) production process, as shown below.

  • Stage 1: Early consultation
  • Stage 2: Evidence Report - March 2023 to June 2024
  • Stage 3: Gate Check - July to September 2024
  • Stage 4: Call for Ideas - 1st July to 1st October 2024
  • Stage 5: Prepare Proposed Plan - November 2024 to July 2025
  • Stage 6: Proposed Plan publication - July to October 2025
  • Stage 7: Modification of Proposed Plan - October to December 2025
  • Stage 8: Examination - March to September 2026
  • Stage 9: Plan adoption - December 2026
  • Stage 10: Delivery and monitoring

Contact us

For more information on the MLDP2 process or to be added to our LDP mailing list, contact the Local Development Plan Team.

  • Email: ldp@midlothian.gov.uk
  • Write to: Planning Service, Fairfield House, 8 Lothian Road, Dalkeith, Midlothian, EH22 3AA

We will also post updates on:

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