News & Blog

MLDP2 Call for Ideas and Opportunities

11th July 2024

Midlothian Local Development Plan 2

Midlothian Council is preparing the next Local Development Plan for the area, the Midlothian Local Development Plan 2 (MLDP2).  This will shape the development and use of land in the area from 2026 to 2036. In MLDP2 the Council will allocate sites for development, identify places to be protected, and set out the policies that will be used when deciding planning applications.  

What is the Call for Ideas and Opportunities?  

We have opened 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.  

It is open to everyone to propose ideas for any aspect of MLDP2 and is not limited to suggestions for development sites. Local development plans set out how an area should look in the future by deciding the type and scale of development, where buildings should be allowed, how land should be used and where existing spaces and buildings should be protected. We would like to hear your thoughts on how land might be used in the future such as for green space, new housing, employment, infrastructure, community use, renewable energy, promoting biodiversity or adapting to our changing climate.  

How and when to send us your suggestions

The Call for Ideas and Opportunities is now open and closes on 1 October 2024.  Ideas should be submitted using the online forms. 

The Council does not need a lot of detail unless you are proposing a site for development.   

If this format is not suitable for you, paper copies of the forms are available at Midlothian libraries, or you can email us at ldp@midlothian.gov.uk or call us on 0131 271 3302 to leave a voice message.  We will then contact you to arrange an alternative method. 

Putting forward policy ideas

This Call for Ideas and Opportunities is not just about promoting sites for development.   We would also like to hear your ideas on policy approaches to matters covered by local development plans, for example active travel infrastructure, community facilities, affordable housing, land for gypsies and travellers, tourist accommodation and facilities, greenspaces, promoting biodiversity and adapting to our changing climate.  

The Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) sets the overall policy on many of these topics. The role of MLDP2 is to supplement these policies within the specific local context of Midlothian.  

If you would like to suggest an idea, please complete the Proposed Ideas and Opportunities form, you can find this online through this link.   

Putting forward a site for allocation or protection

If you would like to put forward a site for protection against development or change of use, for example due to community or biodiversity value, please complete the Propose Site for Protection from Development form.  

If you are suggesting the allocation of a site for development, please complete the Propose Site for Development form.  These forms can be found online through this link.   .

This form requires key information on site characteristics and deliverability that the Council will need to consider when deciding whether to allocate a site.  

It is open to anyone to propose a site for protection or development.  The forms include a question about ownership/control of the site. Completed forms must be accompanied by a map clearly showing the site or area being proposed.  No guarantees are given that any site promoted will be allocated for development or protection.  

Community Groups

If you represent or are part of a community group which has already submitted a Local Place Plan (LPP) there is no need for you to submit further information. However, you can do so if you wish. The Council will consider proposals contained within the submitted LPPs during MLDP2 Proposed Plan preparation.  The Council would be very keen and interested to hear from those communities that were not able to submit a LPP for the Evidence Report.  

Further Information

If you have questions, please email them to ldp@midlothian.gov.uk or telephone us on 0131 271 3302 and leave a voice message.  

There will be further engagement on the MLDP2 Proposed Plan after October 2024, through to publication of the Proposed Plan for formal consultation in July 2025.