Development plans and policies

MLDP2 completed stages

Developing a local development plan 

There are many stages in the process of preparing a local development plan - we have completed Stages 1-5: 

  • 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 - July to October 2024
  • Stage 5: Prepare Proposed Plan - November 2024 to June 2026

Stage 1: Early consultation

Extensive engagement was undertaken during early stages of MLDP2 preparation. This included engaging with people living and working in Midlothian and other stakeholders to understand their views on Midlothian as a place now and how it could develop in the future. Within the framework of the new planning system, the Council sought to maintain open channels of communication so that a wide range of ideas on policy could be exchanged in advance of publication of the MLDP2 Proposed Plan. 

Stage 2: Evidence Report - March 2023 to June 2024

An Evidence Report was prepared which summarised the evidence collected during the early consultation stage and an analysis of what the evidence meant for the MLDP2 Proposed Plan.  

During this stage, invitations to prepare Local Place Plans (LPPs) were issued to Midlothian’s local community bodies. LPPs were prepared by 8 local community councils, which set out proposals for the development or use of land in their area. This information was also summarised in the Evidence Report and used as part of the evidence base to inform the production of MLDP2 Proposed Plan. 

The Evidence Report was approved by Midlothian Council on 25 June 2024 and was submitted to the Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA). 

Evidence Report and supporting documents

Evidence Report Summary

Stage 3: Gate Check - July to September 2024

The Evidence Report was subject to an examination process known as the ‘Gate Check’ and was overseen by the Scottish Government Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA). The Council was informed by the DPEA on 19 September 2024 that the Evidence Report contained sufficient information to enable the planning authority to prepare MLDP2. 

DPEA assessment and recommendations

Stage 4: Call for Ideas and Opportunities - July to October 2024

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. 

The Call for Ideas and Opportunities exercise generated over 160 site suggestions. The Planning Service identified additional sites for consideration from various sources including Council owned land, sites with existing planning consent for housing, but not yet developed, and sites on the Vacant and Derelict Land Register. 

The map link shows all sites suggested as being potentially suitable for development and assessed by the Council. The map shows the proposed use for the site but does not indicate in any way that the site is considered suitable for development by the Council.  The map also shows sites where development is already planned, either because it is allocated for development in MLDP 2017 or because planning permission has been granted for development on the site. 

MLDP2 site submissions map

Information on the developer/promoter of the suggested sites is provided in this table:

MLDP2 suggested sites - additional information

The table also includes unit numbers suggested by the developer/promoter.

Stage 5: Prepare Proposed Plan - November 2024 to June 2026

The Proposed Plan includes a development strategy, planning policies, and allocations of land for development. It differs in content and style from the adopted MLDP 2017. To prepare the Proposed Plan, information from the Evidence Report, Local Place Plans and the Call for Ideas and Opportunities has been used alongside engagement with stakeholders. The Council has also commissioned evidence in respect of retail planning, landscape sensitivity for renewable energy development and a transport appraisal. 

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

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