A fresh vision for Dalkeith town centre

Dalkeith Town Centre Regeneration

The first phase of the regeneration plans includes restoring the external fabric of Midlothian House and developing a new customer hub on the ground floor incorporating the library and arts centre. This work is underway and is due to finish in 2027.

Expanded regeneration area

Moving Dalkeith Library and Arts Centre into the council headquarters, Midlothian House, now allows for a larger area to be redeveloped in the initial phases of the town centre regeneration plans.

More buildings in scope

The expanded boundary will include the Children and Families and Communities, Lifelong Learning and Employability offices on Eskdaill Court.

Flats and retail space

The council’s master planners, Reiach & Hall Architects, have developed the plans, which could deliver up to 74 flats and around 500sqm of retail space in the town centre. A business case is being developed.

Other buildings refurbished

Buildings outside the revised boundary, shown as dotted lines in the drawing, will not be redeveloped, but will be refurbished under a separate funding programme.

Dalkeith town centre plan updated 16 May 2025

We have been listening

Our Dalkeith town centre masterplan vision and the refurbishment of Midlothian House have been shaped by your views.

Read the town centre regeneration framework, now approved as planning guidance (also known as a masterplan)

How we consulted over the years

During the late summer of 2022, residents, local groups and businesses had the opportunity to comment on draft proposals for the town centre drawn up for Midlothian Council by Reiach and Hall Architects. These went on display in Dalkeith Library and online, giving people the chance to see what was being proposed and to share their views.

Responses

This second phase of the consultation on the masterplan was held from 25 August to 4 September 2022. 182 survey responses were received, building on the feedback from 315 people who to part in drop-in events, virtual workshops and walkabouts earlier in the year.

What you said

The survey findings show that many people are in favour of some demolition and redevelopment, particularly around Jarnac Court and Eskdaill Court
A number also said that they want to see high quality, green, sustainable buildings that will stand the test of time
There is support for pedestrianising some of the town centre, where people can feel safe walking, wheeling and cycling
People want a greener town centre, with more trees, planters and places to sit
There is support for providing new, safe transport connections between local places and the town centre, especially Eskbank station, with some suggesting cycle routes and improved accessibility for pedestrians and wheelchair users
The survey shows that people want more independent businesses and a more diverse range of ‘higher quality’ shops, restaurants and cafés
There is support for providing more events, activities and facilities in the town centre to encourage health and wellbeing. In particular, there were many comments about film, cinema, theatre, and sports, and free or affordable activities for teenagers
There is also a desire to see Dalkeith develop its own cultural identity and programme of events, separate to Edinburgh
Dalkeith Regeneration Engagement - Insights Summary (PDF)

Next Steps

The feedback received was used to create the final masterplan, see above, which was considered by councillors. This sets out the council’s proposals for taking the regeneration project forward.

Midlothian House

In spring 2025, we consulted on our plans for the council headquarters, Midlothian House. We received 140 views on our proposals to move the Dalkeith library and arts centre into the ground floor and to create a customer welcome hub.