Rosewell miners cottage goes under the hammer

A former miner’s cottage could be turned into an office for a neighbouring auctioneers business.

The house is next door to the auction house and the firm says it will use it to create more space for staff who work in an “over-crowded” space.

Plans to change the use of the terraced cottage on Carnethie Street, Rosewell, have been lodged by Thomas Roddick Auctioneers with Midlothian Council.

The house is next door to the auction house and the firm says it will use it to create more space for staff who work in an “over-crowded” space.

The firm said in its application: “It is proposed to utilise No 116 Carnethie Street as office and storage space for use by the auctioneers.

“It is important to note that there would be no increase in staff numbers; No 116 would merely be used to provide better operational capacity for No 118 (the auctioneers), which is a bit over crowded from sale items or merchandise.

“No 116 would also be utilised during normal working hours (as is the present situation with No 118).

“Therefore we would not envisage any issues with parking or noise (if anything street traffic would reduce as now less domestic occupants on the street.)”

The application to change the property from domestic use to commercial said the existing layout of the building would not be altered although a new door would be added to the rear to allow access from the neighbouring business.

Carnethie Street is described as the main thoroughfare through the former mining village, which was established to serve Whitehill Colliery, which closed in 1961. Terraces of miners’ cottages remain on it today.

The application is with Midlothian Council’s planning officers and can be viewed online.