Wednesday February 1st 2023
Photographed this week, the site of the former Lugton Inn on the approach into Dalkeith.
Back in November Midlothian councillors agreed to take direct action against the owner of the land of the former Lugton Inn, in Dalkeith.
A November meeting of the council’s planning committee was told officers had tried over a ‘sustained period of time’ to work with the landowner to clear the site which is strewn with tyres, litter, lumps of tarmac and damaged fencing.
However, they said: “By early 2022 it was evident that the landowner was not going to voluntarily take the steps necessary for the condition of the land to be remedied.”
After issuing a notice of compliance demanding the site was cleaned up without success, councillors were asked in November to give officers the go ahead to clear the site themselves at an estimated cost of £3,000, which they will then seek to be reimbursed by the landowner.
Elected members were told approving the direct action would allow officers to give the landowner 28 days notice before they enter the site themselves.
Midlothian View visited the site this week and as there has been no visible change since November we asked council for comment. A Midlothian Council spokesman said:
“As per the council agreement, we will make arrangements to clear the site and any costs will be recharged to the landowner. We are exploring the option of a Compulsory Purchase Order.”
Planning convenor Councillor Russell Imrie told the committee in November: “If it all goes pear-shaped we can look at a CPO. We have to get heavy with people because I think they think we are a light touch.
“It is a gateway site and looks awful.”
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