Development plans and policies

The current development plan for Midlothian

The current development plan for Midlothian is made up of two plans:

• The Midlothian Local Development Plan, adopted 7 November 2017.
• National Planning Framework for Scotland 4, adopted 13 February 2023. 

National Planning Framework for Scotland 4

What is the Midlothian Local Development Plan?

The 2017 Midlothian Local Development Plan (MLDP 2017) sets out the development strategy for Midlothian.  It sets out the detailed policies used to determine planning applications in Midlothian.  

The 2017 Local Development Plan

Midlothian Local Development Plan interactive map

Action Programme 2017, updated 2020

The Action Programme is a list of actions required to deliver each of the policies and proposals in the Midlothian Local Development Plan. It also identifies appropriate parties or organisations to carry out these actions, and provides an indicative timescale. The original Action Programme is from 2017, and was updated in 2020 (approved by Council 2021).

MLDP Action Programme 2017, updated 2020

Midlothian Local Development Plan 2017 – Consultation on Draft Delivery Programme 2025-2027

A draft Delivery Programme covering the period 2025-2027 for the Midlothian Local Development Plan 2017 has been prepared. It can be viewed through the below link or at Midlothian Council libraries. 

The Delivery Programme is a requirement of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 and sets out how the Council proposes to implement the adopted Plan. This document replaces the Action Programme, approved in 2021, for the MLDP 2017. Please note that the draft Delivery Programme is not related to the replacement Midlothian Local Development Plan 2 (MLDP2) currently under preparation. Representations on the draft Delivery Programme 2025-2027 should be submitted by Friday the 14th of February 2025 through email to ldp@midlothian.gov.uk. For further information about the draft Delivery Programme 2025-2027 please also use this address. 

Draft Delivery Programme 2025-2027

Development Plan Scheme

Development Plan Scheme 16 (DPS16) was approved by Midlothian Council Planning Committee in April 2024.  It contains the timetable for preparing Local Development Plan 2 and a Participation Statement setting out the council's proposed engagement activities. 

Development Plan Scheme 16

The DPS must be reviewed every year, and the Council is consulting on the replacement DPS17.

Development Plan Scheme 17 Consultation

Below is a link to the draft Development Plan Scheme Number 17 (DPS17) for Midlothian. DPS17, when approved, will replace DPS16, setting out Midlothian Council’s programme for preparing the next Midlothian Local Development Plan (MLDP2). DPS17 also includes a proposed Participation Statement, which outlines future engagement on MLDP2.

Development Plan Scheme 17 (Draft)

The Council wishes to receive your comments and views on this draft DPS17, including the timetable and the Participation Statement.  Using the link below, please let us know if you have any comments before 14 March 2025.  We will consider comments received and expect to report these to the April Planning Committee.  Once DPS17 has been finalised and approved we will allow for further comments to be submitted, to be considered in preparing future Development Plan Schemes.

Development Plan Scheme Engagement