Monday December 15th 2025
Glencorse Barracks is set for a major upgrade
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Plans to create officers accommodation at Midlothian’s Glencorse army barracks have been delayed after talks with the local authority.
Midlothian planners have given the green light to proposals to create new offices and technical facilities at the barracks, near Penicuik, alongside a new paddock and stables.
However a report by council officers said initial plans to include accommodation for officers and senior ranks in an extension to one of the site’s listed buildings have been altered after talks.
Instead, they said, the accommodation plans would be submitted in a separate detailed submission alongside a Listed Building Consent application in the future.
The work is part of a £142million project to upgrade three army bases in and around Edinburgh by the Ministry of Defence ahead of the planned closure of the Capital’s Redford Barracks, which is due to happen in 2030.
Glencorse Barracks is the first to see work begin and Midlothian planners have granted permission in principle for the erection of technical facilities, including an extension to the existing technical storage facilities; new paddock and stables; demolition of existing training building and replacement with new office building.
The barracks has six listed buildings on its site, including a Category A listed clock tower which dates back to the Napoleonic war.
A report on the decision revealed initial proposals had included accommodation but that had been revised.
It said: “The initial submission included the extension to an accommodation block which is a curtilage listed building.
“Following negotiations with the applicant, this element has been removed from the proposal and will be assessed separately through the submission of a separate detailed planning application and listed building consent application.”
The report by planning officers said an initial consultation on the plans in April this year had raised concerns about staff living on the site.
It said: “The original consultation response in April raised concerns relating to the transport assessment relating to the additional staff living on site, and the trips they will make.
“However, following the removal of the extension to the accommodation block from the proposal, the council’s senior manger neighbourhood services (roads) advised that the number of people visiting the site, will be reduced from the current levels by 13 people and therefore these concerns are no longer applicable.”
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