'Rare survivor’ of early Midlothian town housing saved from demolition

A rundown cottage in the centre of Dalkeith has been saved from demolition after planners described it as a ‘rare survivor’ of the town’s early heritage.

The single storey home on the corner of Lothian Street and London Road is hundreds of years old and has been listed as significant because of its location and character.

Developers lodged plans to demolish the cottage and outbuildings behind it with Midlothian Council with separate proposals to build a four storey high block of 15 flats in their place also submitted.

However a report by planning officers revealed that Historic Environment Scotland had objected to the loss of the cottage saying there was ‘insufficient information’ to show it no longer merited its Category B listing and reasonable efforts had been made to retain, repair and reuse it.

It said: “Historic Environment Scotland does not see any significant issues concerning its condition that would justify its demolition.”

The applicant’s design statement acknowledged the cottage as a listed building but said of its condition: “The walls had all been harled. However, the harling has come away from the stone walls, particularly on the south
(London Road) elevation.”

Planning officers refused an application for Listed Building Consent to demolish the cottage saying, in their view, the home played an important role in the town centre.

They said: “The application building relates to a single storey end terraced, late 18th/early 19th century, category B listed building which is located in a prominent position within the conservation area.

“Whilst the building in need of some maintenance, it still a significant historic building.”

They added: “The application building is prominently sited within part of the streetscape of Dalkeith as it is sited on the crossroads of Buccleuch Street and Lothian Street. Its location, together with its early vernacular character, contribute to its significance as a rare survivor of early Dalkeith.”

A separate application for Conservation Area Consent to demolish outbuildings next to the cottage which are currently used as a car mechanic’s business was also rejected by planners over concerns about possible impact on roosting bats and their views that the building makes a contribution to the town centre.