Friday January 4th 2019
In association with Midlothian View, Libermove present details of noteworthy planning applications submitted to the Midlothian Council.
Midlothian council itself has submitted a proposal of application notice for the redevelopment of the Midlothian Snowsports Centre.
The proposal is part of the council’s plans entitled ‘Destination Hillend’ for the redevelopment of the existing Snowsports Centre to include increased leisure facilities, tourist accommodation, hotel development, function suite, shop and restaurant.
The business plan aims to transform the Snowsports Centre into a year round tourist attraction. The plan requires considerable initial capital investment. However, the independent adviser who produced the business case concluded this initiative will return a substantial surplus to the Council.
Update 10th Jan: A drop in session is to be held on Monday 28th January at the Snowsports Centre between 2pm and 7.30pm, for anyone to go along to view the plans.
The latest information with details of the proposal can be found on the Midlothian planning website.
The Midlothian Snowsports Centre was threatened with closure back in 2011, after Midlothian Council said it could no longer afford to fund the centre. Money from Sportscotland and the Scottish government helped to secure the centre from closure.
The redevelopment proposal forms part of the Midlothian Council Development Plan 2017.
The Snowsports Centre falls within the promoting economic growth section, focused on tourism. The plan acknowledges that any redevelopment must respect the sensitivity of the landscape setting and environmental assets of Hillend Country Park and the wider Pentland Hills. The country park falls within a Special Landscape Area.
It also states that the scale, character and detailed location of development will require careful consideration to ensure that the overall landscape impact of the improved facilities is not substantially greater than the visual impact of the existing Snowsports Centre.
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