Monday January 11th 2021
The existing buildings in Buccleuch Street, next to Midlothian House
A new council flat complex in Dalkeith town centre will be as “near to zero carbon” as possible after its design was given the go-ahead by planners.
The plans for a site at Buccleuch Street, next to Midlothian Council headquarters, include a new three-storey-high block of flats which will be built to Passivhaus certification.
The Passivhaus standards include highly insulated walls, triple-glazed windows and a heat recovery system in the properties, and are described as one of the few “doable” methods of achieving near-zero-carbon residential homes.
The plans by Midlothian Council for 32-38 Buccleuch Street will see the existing building refurbished to create two retail units on the ground floor and four flats above them.
Artist's impression of how the new flats behind the current Buccleuch Street building will look, included as part of planning application
Land behind the front building will be used to create the new Passivhaus flats, with car parking provided.
The new flats will be a mix of one and two-bedroom properties, with the flats in the refurbished existing building expected to be made up of three studios and one two-bedroom flat.
While it is proposed that the new flats are retained as council properties, the plans for the existing studios and additional two-bedroom flat have not been revealed.
A report on the design of the new flats by the council’s planning officer said: “The new block of flats will be Passivhaus certified and will have highly insulated walls, triple-glazed windows and mechanical ventilation, with heat recovery units in each flat.
“Passivhaus is widely recognised as a practical and achievable means of zero carbon new build residential development.
“The use of this approach will aid Midlothian Council in achieving its aspiration to become carbon neutral by 2030.”
You can read more about Passivhaus standards HERE.
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