Council halts plan for new depot at Bonnyrigg

Wednesday July 8th 2020

Midlothian Council


Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson

The economic impact of the current Covid-19 pandemic, and the need to review how local services are provided in the future, has led Midlothian Council to conclude that it should not proceed with plans for a new depot and offices at the Hopefield site in Bonnyrigg. There has also been considerable local opposition to the plans for the site.

However, the council recognises that it still has a pressing need for more modern, cost-effective facilities to support front line services. As a result, it is now looking at the possibility of providing a new centralised depot at Stobhill, where it currently already has its main depot.

“In the current economic climate, there is now no requirement for a depot on the scale planned for Hopefield,” said Council Leader, Councillor Derek Milligan.

“It makes much more sense to reassess our service needs and to look at rationalising our operations at a depot which is both reduced in scale and which will save us on accommodation and running costs in the longer term. We’ve now asked our officials to bring forward a full feasibility report, designs and costings for a new fit-for-purpose depot on land at Stobhill.

“We are often approached by local small businesses, many run from the owner’s home or garage, who are looking to expand into small industrial units. So, as part of our economic renewal strategy, we’ve identified the need to provide modern, purpose-built spaces for small businesses, to help build our local business base and reduce the need for workers to commute out of Midlothian.

We are looking at the possibility of locating some of that small business space at Hopefield, and will provide more on these proposals when our feasibility study is completed over the next few months.”

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