Monday March 23rd 2026
Land on edge of Howgate, near Penicuik, approved for new house
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Concern over the impact of a new country house on surrounding wildlife was dismissed by Midlothian’s planning convenor who said its butterflies had “seen their last days” during a meeting today.
Speaking as the council’s Local Review Body was asked to consider an appeal against a decision to refuse permission for the house, on the edge of Howgate, near Penicuik, Councillor Russell Imrie heard the majority of fellow members backed the application.
Only Councillor Colin Cassidy spoke out against the proposals urging the review body to reject it over its impact on the garden grounds it will be based in.
Responding to claims by fellow councillor Douglas Bowen that the home would make use of a garden which had become a ‘neglected wilderness’, Councillor Cassidy said in his view the garden was, in fact, a ‘wildlife sanctuary’.
However his appeal to save the land failed to find support with fellow councillor Dianne Alexander telling the meeting: “I think this is going to be a beautiful house in a beautiful place. I take the point about the biodiversity it is going to squish but I just think it is a lovely opportunity.”
Councillor Imrie then told him: “I am afraid Councillor Cassidy the butterflies have seen their last days.”
The proposals for the two-bedroom home at Howgate, were rejected by planners who ruled it was in designated countryside outside the conservation village and not a ‘sustainable location’.
They also argued that it would be 1.2 miles to the nearest public bus stop – further than the recommended maximum distance of one mile.
Concerns were also raised about the removal of trees and hedges to create access to a new three-vehicle driveway for the house although applicants argued loss would be kept to a minimum and involve only plantings which had been made in the last 12 years.
The applicants challenged claims the new house would be in the countryside insisting it was within the Howgate boundary and already had an
established use as ‘residential’. They also said there was a cycling route to the bus stop adding a closer village bus service was lost during Covid and residents still hoped it would return.
No objections to the proposals were lodged with the council and the appeal was upheld by the review body.
You can read the document subniited to the LRB HERE. and you can watch the discssuion at the LRB in teh video below.
