New holiday units are proposed for land between Braidlaw Farmhouse and the A766 outside Penicuik.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
A new bid to build holiday accommodation on farmland outside Penicuik has been launched a year after councillors rejecting proposals for ‘shepherd hut’ style pods on the site.
The proposals for five holiday ‘units’ on land between Braidlaw Farmhouse and the A766 is set to go before Midlothian planning committee later this month for a first look.
Public consultation events are set to be held in June to give people a chance to find out more about the proposals.
Earlier this year the council refused permission for five glamping pods to be built on land at the farm in the style of shepherds huts. At the time, the project was described as creating a horse lovers haven with visitors able to spend time with the animals in the stables or bring their own for a stay.
Planners ruled the pods would be too ‘conspicuous’ from the road and would stick out on the hillside.
Now a Pre Application Notice for a new application for holiday units has been lodged with the local authority.
In a report to elected members, officers said that while the new proposals were on land designated as countryside the council’s own development plan is ‘generally supportive’ of holiday accommodation, but they warned the design of the units would need to blend with their surroundings.
They said: “While the principle of holiday accommodation is generally accepted, detailed consideration will need to be given to the design matters. In particular, the site’s relationship to the surrounding rural area and the impact on the landscape character of the area, as well as the layout, siting, scale, design and materials of the proposed accommodation and any other associated works.
“There must also be an important emphasis placed on the sustainability of the development and its impact on the climate crisis.”
Planners also point out there is a high pressure gas pipeline running through the site which will need to be considered.
A Pre Application Notice gives councillors the chance to give their views on plans and public views to be gathered before a formal planning application is lodged.
The public events will be held in Ladywood Leisure Centre, in Penicuik on June 11th and June 25th.
There is less than a year to go until sole traders and landlords with an income over £50,000 will be required to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax.
Making Tax Digital was launched on 6th April 2026 marking a significant and what should be ultimately a time-saving change in how these individuals will need to keep digital records and report their income to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
HMRC say that by keeping digital records throughout the year, sole traders and landlords should save hours previously spent gathering information at tax return time, allowing them to spend more time focusing on their business activities and in turn, driving economic growth as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.
Quarterly updates will spread the workload more evenly throughout the year, bring the tax system closer to real-time reporting and help businesses stay on top of their finances and avoid the last-minute rush.
HMRC is urging eligible customers to sign up to a testing programme on GOV.UK and start preparing now. Agents can also register their clients via GOV.UK.
James Murray MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said:
“MTD for Income Tax is an essential part of our plan to transform the UK’s tax system into one that supports economic growth.
“By modernising how people manage their tax, we’re helping businesses work more efficiently and productively while ensuring everyone pays their fair share.
“This is a crucial step in this government’s decade of national renewal and our Plan for Change, as we clear away barriers that hold back growth.”
Craig Ogilvie, HMRC’s Director of Making Tax Digital, said:
“MTD for Income Tax is the most significant change to the Self Assessment regime since its introduction in 1997. It will make it easier for self-employed people and landlords to stay on top of their tax affairs and help ensure they pay the right amount of tax.
“By signing up to our testing programme now, self-employed people and landlords will be able to familiarise themselves with the new process and access dedicated support from our MTD Customer Support Team, before it becomes compulsory next year.”
From April 2026, individuals with qualifying income above £50,000 will need to keep digital records, use MTD-compatible software and submit quarterly summaries of their income and expenses to HMRC. These digital requirements will help businesses save time through more efficient record-keeping, reduce errors in tax calculations, and provide a clearer picture of their tax obligations throughout the year.
Qualifying income includes gross income from self-employment and property before any tax allowances or expenses are deducted. Those with qualifying income above £30,000 will also be required to use MTD for Income Tax from April 2027. The threshold will then decrease to £20,000 from April 2028.
The phased introduction of MTD for Income Tax follows the successful implementation of MTD for VAT, which now helps more than two million businesses reduce errors and save time on their tax affairs. Businesses which joined the MTD for VAT testing phase were better prepared for the move to quarterly reporting.
An independent report published in 2021 found that 69% of mandated businesses experienced at least one benefit from MTD for VAT, while 67% reported that it reduced the potential for mistakes in their record keeping.
Around 780,000 self-employed individuals and landlords will be required to use MTD for Income Tax from April 2026, with a further 970,000 joining from April 2027. Penalties for late quarterly updates will not apply during the testing phase, providing an ideal opportunity to get used to the new process without risk.
More information on MTD for Income Tax can be found at: HERE.
More information on finding compatible software can be found at: HERE.
The entrance to Quarry Soutra Mains.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A new asphalt plant at a quarry in a Borders village will pave the way for ten new jobs, it has emerged.
Proposals have been submitted for installation and operation of the plant at Quarry Soutra Mains Farm at Blackshiels in Oxton.
The proposed development area is on previously disturbed quarry land that is currently used for mineral processing, stocking and parking.
The asphalt plant is described as a “significant investment” and the materials used would help surface roads across the Borders.
A report with the application states: “The plant will be ancillary to the operations already carried out at the quarry, utilising crushed rock aggregate as the primary raw material input.
“The materials produced will be used in the surfacing of roads, pavements and car parks etc. This will include opportunities to supply Scottish Borders Council and the Trunk Road Network.
“The proposal represents a significant investment by the Hillhouse Quarry Group Limited in a regionally important quarry and an important local employer that currently supplies aggregates, ready mixed concrete and concrete blocks.
“An additional ten jobs will be created through the proposed development across a range of operations, haulage and contractor positions.”
The proposed plant will use the existing quarry access off the B6368, located approximately 150m from the A68 Trunk Road
The report adds: “It will be necessary supply materials outside of the routine operating hours.
“This will be to respond to maintenance requirements such as evening road works undertaken on behalf of Scottish Borders Council, or projects that are undertaken at night to minimise wider disruption, such as works on the Trunk Road Network.
“The plant would produce in the order of 150,000 tonnes of material per annum equating to around 30 loads per day.”
