Council challenging Scottish Government decision
Midlothian Council is challenging a decision made by the Scottish Government on 12 May 2025 to grant consent for a battery storage site near the Dalkeith Schools Campus.
Proximity to schools campus
The site will store energy using large lithium-ion batteries, but it is close to the campus which has around 2,500 pupils as well as staff members.
Concerns
Councillors are worried about safety concerns, especially the risk of fire which may create the potential for toxic fumes.
Judicial Review
The council has started a process called a Judicial Review. In Scotland, this means asking the Court of Session to rule on whether the government complied with the law when making their decision.
Legal advice
The council took expert legal advice before the application for Judicial Review was lodged with the Court of Session on 11 August.
Next steps
The council will now await the next steps in process which may also include exploring opportunities to resolve councillors’ concerns.
Court of Session Rolls