How will large new housing development benefit Gorebridge?

Developers will be urged to set out what they will do for the community of Gorebridge as the latest phase of creating a new community moves forward.

Previous designs for the proposed development at Redheugh near Gorebridge

Proposals for up to 400 homes at Redheugh West are in the pre-application stage as developers ORS and DBLT Redheugh Ltd prepare to lodge plans with Midlothian Council.

A virtual meeting of the council’s planning committee this week was given the chance to provide feedback to officers over the proposals.

Councillor Jim Muirhead urged planning officers to ensure developers considered what they could do for the community when it came to giving something back.

Mr Muirhead told planning manager Peter Arnsdorf: “If it goes through, I think it is important we talk about facilities going into Gorebridge.”

Concerns were raised by Councillor Peter Smaill about the impact of additional housing on parking at Gorebridge Railway Station, which is already at capacity.

Planning convenor Russell Imrie pointed out that land had been set aside for a new Redheugh Railway Station, with the suggestion that trains on the line could alternate between stopping at Gorebridge or Redheugh.

Mr Arnsdorf confirmed that the land was there for a railway ‘halt’ at Redheugh but cautioned councillors that “ScotRail are not going to bring that forward until they have customers there”.

A public consultation over the proposals for housing at Redheugh West was held via a webchat event in August, committee members were told.

Planning officers will take feedback from the committee to developers before any formal application is lodged.