Toni McNelis was last seen around midnight on March 14 in the Edinburgh Road area of Penicuik. The 29-year-old has now been found safe, police confirmed on Sunday. STV News is now on WhatsAppGet all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Follow STV News on WhatsAppScan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country '+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text+' "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title+" "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text+" and you’ll pass through a vision of everyday Scottish charm: the gray sandstone edifices of Edinburgh’s outer suburbs figures hunched over in the chill and wrapped in tartan scarves while walking their dogs after whizzing along the artery road that snakes south out of Edinburgh and through the dramatic landscapes of the Pentland Hills you’ll stop to turn through a set of imposing 18th-century gates Follow a series of winding lanes past fairytale follies and various ornamental outbuildings and you’ll pull up at the majestic building at the heart of the estate: Old Penicuik House a restored ruin with enormous open ceilings and empty windows to peer through and see the crumbling interior This air of the otherworldly was only heightened during my visit in early January when a layer of fresh snow glittered in the branches of every tree and blanketed every surface to lend the entire place an eerie hush Just half an hour earlier I’d been in the sterile arrivals hall of Edinburgh Airport—now It turns out I’m far from the first person to be enchanted by the Penicuik Estate—and if its current stewards have their way these some 7,500 acres of ancient woodlands and meadows were acquired by the aristocratic Clerk family (who still own it today) who quickly set about establishing it as a hub for the aesthetic and intellectual elite of their time The extraordinary grounds serve as one of the earliest examples of Capability Brown-style “designed landscapes”—think over half a million planted trees artificially cleared pockets of woodland that offer sightlines across the Esk Valley and plenty of the (delightfully named) ha-has to boundary the gardens without interrupting those views—and soon became a hotspot for 18th-century Scottish Enlightenment thinkers from architect Robert Adam to philosopher David Hume the estate has been given a new lease of life largely thanks to the ambitious plans of the current baronet’s son Clerk gave up his finance job in London to return to his family’s working farm and help transform it into the forward-thinking hospitality enterprise he believed it could one day be The first stage of Clerk’s vision was converting a number of outbuildings in holiday lets with a difference: think somewhere between a private vacation home and a standalone luxury hotel suite (The amenities include everything from smart TVs to underfloor heating and while you can’t order room service—yet—the endlessly obliging concierge team will happily arrange hampers of local goods and freshly prepared ready meals or even lay on a chef to come and rustle up a feast for you each evening using specialist fire cooking techniques.) Photo: Alexander BaxterThe results are impressive After taking in the eerie beauty of the main house—having been destroyed by a fire in 1899 and left in ruins for over a century it was a major restoration project in the late 2000s that saved from total collapse—we wended our way down to our home for the weekend a neoclassical spa house named Eskfield that dates back to 1714 ready to take in this object lesson in contemporary country house style done right the kitchen had all the gadgets and gizmos you could want for—Our Place cookware and a very jazzy tap that produces boiling water with a twist of the hand—but were balanced with a gently rustic charm: think wildflowers tucked into a roughly-hewn ceramic pot on an antique oak dining table or a richly patterned blind hanging above the window to frame the view of snow-covered bushes beyond with its walls covered in wraparound scenes of pastoral landscapes and birds fluttering in the canopies of trees; meanwhile a trio of dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass orangery doors were painted a deep green with matching curtains and leafy potted standards flanking it (This thoughtful blurring of inside and outside comes courtesy of Emily Smoor founder of the Edinburgh-based Fantoush; evidently it always helps to have a local’s eye.) Beyond the windows sits a private four-acre walled garden which could have been plucked straight from a vintage postcard—fruit trees scattered in the near distance a babbling stream cutting through the center—were it not for the more modern conveniences of an outdoor wood burner and an elegant cedar hot tub and plunge pool embedded within the paving immediately outside And I haven’t even got to the private spa area yet with its wood-paneled walls painted a soothing shade of red clay the scent of warm pine emanating from it invitingly each evening before dinner Photo: Alexander BaxterPhoto: Alexander BaxterConsider this a warning: once you’re ensconced in the plush environs of your private cottage or villa so you don’t have to go very far to feel like you’ve checked some more exploratory activities off the list You can borrow e-bikes to traverse the nearly 20 kilometers of trails that crisscross the estate or join a local guide to go foraging for mushrooms (and receive some tips on how to use them while cooking later that evening) or try some wild wellness with yoga and breathwork classes in the woods And for those visiting from further afield who might feel obliged to undertake at least a bit of sightseeing it’s only 10 minutes up the road to the mysterious Gothic magic of Rosslyn Chapel with its world-class museums and galleries (when we visited the talk of the town was an exhibition on the Edinburgh-based artist Everlyn Nicodemus at the National Galleries of Scotland) and thriving local food scene and make sure to stop by the homewares shop Bard in a historic dockland building on the Leith waterfront where you’ll find goods exclusively made by artisans and makers from across the Scottish isles.) As Clerk explains when we meet for a coffee at the estate offices this is just the first step in what he hopes will come to offer a new model for agricultural estates looking to expand into hospitality Next up is the reopening of the wonky Palladian wonder that is Penicuik House What was once a stable block—albeit one with a handful of architectural quirks including a clock tower and a replica of a Roman temple that now serves as a dovecote—and then became the family pile after the destruction of the old house is currently undergoing another transformation under the aegis of furniture designer Charles Orchard with the end result set to be an eclectic mix of old and new There will be art and antiques plucked from the Clerks’ own collection (which you can expect will be impressive—it was a Clerk who brought the first Rembrandt to Scotland back in the second half of the 17th century) scattered around to serve as a backdrop for the larger groups set to rent it out when it opens later this year as an exclusive use property housing up to 32 guests at a time Photo: Courtesy of Penicuik EstateThere are also plans in motion to host a series of wellness and creative retreats; one imagines it will be an especially popular venue each August when the Edinburgh Fringe Festival rolls around It’s hard not to feel that this is exactly the kind of offering a certain kind of seasoned design-conscious visitor is looking for: all of the amenities and activities that a five-star hotel is able to offer but with just the right amount of independence However lovely some travellers find it to be waited on hand-and-foot it’s more common they prefer a little more autonomy—and even better if it comes without the guilty feeling associated with homestay rental platforms I was finally able to drag myself away from that log fire and I headed a long walk over the nearby Pentland Hills whose typical terrain of silver birch and scraggly heather was covered in a layer of snow that grew ever thicker the higher we climbed There were families sledding down the slopes students in thick coats and mittens wandering through the snow-covered forests at a leisurely pace a running group in eye-popping neon leisurewear pacing up the hill at an impressive speed; like a Breughel painting recast in 21st-century Scotland Hikers in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh our cheeks ruddy from the whipping January winds everything was exactly as we needed it to be It was all in the details: the fact that the carpet runner for the stairs was lightly cushioned as we padded up barefoot to change into our swim gear or that the sauna came with a timer setting so that we could schedule it to be a perfect 80 degrees Celsius upon our return from the walk A heaving wooden platter of whisky-cured smoked salmon with whipped crowdie cheese and treacle soda bread had been left on the kitchen table to fortify us and the boiling water tap was ready to pour us a peppermint tea to warm up and hi-tech in all the right ways: the team behind Penicuik have found the magic formula The Danish Home Lighting Trend That Can Improve Your Mental Health In America’s Cities, Saunas Are Becoming the Hottest Social Spot Millie Bobby Brown Shares Her Favorite Paella Recipe—and Details About Her Wedding to Jake Bongiovi A Day-by-Day Guide to Hiking the Legendary Nakasendo Trail in Japan Never miss a Vogue moment and get unlimited digital access for just $2 $1 per month We use cookies to collect information about how you use the Police Scotland website We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve our services A 31-year-old man has been jailed for a total of seven years in connection with sexual offences against two women in Musselburgh and Penicuik Gavin Green was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday He had previously been found guilty at the same court in March 2025 Detective Sergeant Lynsey Thomson said: "Green is a dangerous predator who rightly faces a lengthy period in prison as a result of his deplorable actions "I would like to commend the women for their strength in coming forward to report his offending and throughout the legal process I hope this conclusion will help them as they move forward with their lives "I'd urge anyone who has been a victim of physical or sexual abuse to report it to us All reports are thoroughly investigated and we have specially trained officers and partner agencies who will support you throughout." Police Scotland support those who wish to become police officers special constables or police staff by hosting various online and in-person recruitment events throughout the year supported victims and a thriving workforce Read about our 2030 vision and three-year plan Worried that your partner or the partner of someone you know might have an abusive past we'd appreciate your feedback on the service we provided Police Scotland has been working to make its websites more accessible - read our accessibility statement This week a memorial sculpture and information board is being formally unveiled in Trinity Church Grounds in Penicuik Bringing a 18 month project to an emotional conclusion A modern-day reminder of the towns dark past a moment for reflection where a wreath made by local lady Hazel will be laid and a pause of silence to think about the unthinkable suffering these women encountered The idea was born and the Penicuik Witch Trials established in October 2023 The aim to have a fitting piece made in dedication to the 11 Penicuik women accused of Witchcraft The project started with a table full of raffle prizes and three local ladies Shelley The Penicuik Witch Trials Campaign Group formed shortly after involving Shelley Leading to fundraising at the Towns Annual Hunter and Lass Gala day The group moved things forward with the campaign A simple and unique metal sculpture was designed and commissioned with eleven delicate forget me knot flowers symbolising each victim Standing tall and proud in the ground bound by wire Created by local skilled metal worker Gordon Leavy of GL Metal Works The piece was funded via the local business group Shop Penicuik First CIC who had received a small grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to contribute to the memorial A fitting information board showing the victims names and the strands of information that were found out about them and their plight pulled together Alongside images of embroideries made by Holly and June Farwell who said “I think it will be a lovely reminder of the women who were so cruelly treated in the past” Included is an intriguing photo taken of the church yard grounds by Bill Baird from the local camera club It was supported by Rodd Lugg from Penicuik Heritage Re-generation group and Midlothian Provost Debbi McCall who championed the concept from the outset Campaigner Shelley stated “I set out hoping to have a small remembrance piece for the women my hopes and expectations were hugely surpassed The local and wider community really came together to ensure these women won’t be forgotten At every point people have listened and welcomed the cause This is a great privilege to have in our town for towns folk and for those who come to visit “We thank every single person involved in whatever way that has been Many already mentioned but also Simon and The Royal Hotel for hosting refreshments Penicuik Guerrilla Gardeners for the barrel planter To the inspiring Clare and Zoe from Witches of Scotland and their fabulous podcast.” Subscribe to the Midlothian View newsletter The NEN – North Edinburgh News The community media resource for north Edinburgh Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email Police in Midlothian are appealing for the public’s help to trace 29-year-old Toni McNelis who has been reported missing from Penicuik Toni was last seen around midnight on Friday She is described as being around 5ft 4in tall Toni may have travelled to the Glasgow area and also has links to Edinburgh Constable Stuart Neal said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for Toni’s welfare and are working to trace her as soon as possible “Her family and friends are extremely worried and just want to know she is safe and well “Anyone who has seen Toni or knows where she might be to contact police as soon as possible “I would also appeal directly to Toni – if you see this please get in touch to let us know you’re okay.” Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 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 Last year the council refused permission for five glamping pods to be built on land at the farm in the style of shepherds huts 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 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 the site’s relationship to the surrounding rural area and the impact on the landscape character of the area scale,design and materials of the proposed accommodation and any otherassociated 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 The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency provided by the local news sector (in Edinburgh that is Reach plc (the publisher behind Edinburgh Live and The Daily Record) and used by many qualifying partners Local Democracy Reporters cover news about top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations Log in to leave a comment This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Edinburgh Reporter brings you news all about Edinburgh The historic Penicuik High School is in line for a major rebuild under ambitious redevelopment plans led by Midlothian Council to increase pupil numbers from 677 to 925 Outlining the scope of works the authority wrote: "The project aims to integrate the educational facilities into a more consolidated building whilst retaining the existing daycare centre within the grounds of the school and demolishing the 1960’s building which is no longer fit for purpose." Other than the loss of a central gymnasium the original building will remain intact joined by a new build extension arranged to form a single condensed mass versus the ad hoc sprawl of extensions and additions at present Seeking consistency of design the new build brick and pre-cast element will reference 1930s architecture Outlining how this will be done the applicant added: "The ground floor and first floor will feature a masonry finish creating a robust base that ties into the existing two-storey building the openings will maintain similar proportions to those of the 1930s the pre-cast concrete sills will echo the stone sills present in the existing building and a pre-cast stringer will align with the stone cornice detailed at the roof eaves "Lighter-toned metal cladding will continue the linear façade arrangement and colonnade while darker-toned cladding will integrate with the windows reducing the visual impact of the additional level and accentuate the appearance of the horizontal and vertical colonnade." The interior design of the school emphasises natural materials with wood slats and an open plan permitting visibility of activities.  All comments are pre-moderated and must obey our house rules Artists impression of proposed houses on slope at Cairnbank Road A fresh bid to build new homes next to a former mill lade on a slope in Penicuik has been rejected by planners The owner applied for permission to build three split level homes on land at Craigbank Road two years after Midlothian Council rejected a similar proposal over safety concerns But despite reducing the number of houses involved and addressing concerns about access to the mill lade with plans to fill it in Refusing permission they said the houses were too big out of character and did not provide enough amenity for residents whose gardens would be overlooked by their neighbours And they said a request for an assessment of the impact on protected trees and hedgerow on the site had not been provided The owner had previously applied for permission to build four houses on the site with plans to retain the former mill lade and build footbridges over it as part of the gardens of the new homes The initial proposals were rejected and at an appeal hearing at the council’s Local Review Body further concerns were raised about emergency access to existing homes on the private street during construction and the garden design One councillor said the sloping gardens with a bridge at the bottom felt ‘unsafe’ The revised application proposed filling in the mill lade which the applicant said had “ceased to exist in all but torrential downpours of rain” which they said would open up the whole garden space for beneficial use for residential amenity However planners rejected the proposal saying the fact the houses overlooked each other meant the garden space was still not acceptable They said: “This does not provide adequate private garden ground as each proposed house would overlook the garden ground of the adjacent house and so have a detrimental impact on the amenity of these occupants.” And they said the size and scale of the new homes would have a “significant detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area adjacent special landscape area and landscape character of the surrounding area.” A mill lade is a water channel or a mill race that delivers water to a waterwheel It is essentially a controlled waterway that guides water to the machinery of a mill the term “mill lade” is commonly used it’s often called a “mill leat” Two children were taken to the Royal Hospital for Children with serious injuries, while a third child was checked over. Emergency services were called to reports of a crash on Bog Road, Penicuik, at around 3.20pm on Sunday. The crash involved three children, aged 11, 12 and 13, and a Volkswagen T-Cross. The 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl were taken to the Royal Hospital for Children in Edinburgh where medical staff confirmed their injuries as “serious”. The road was closed to allow for collision investigators to examine the location. The force is urging anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward. Sergeant Fraser Mitchell said: “Our enquiries remain ongoing as we work to establish the full circumstances of this collision. “Anyone with any information or dash cam footage should get in contact, no matter how insignificant it may seem. “Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1844 of January 19, 2025.” POLICE are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 29-year-old woman reported missing from the Penicuik area Toni McNelis was last seen around midnight on Friday She has been spoken to on the phone by officers however there are still concerns and we need to trace her Toni is described as being around 5ft 4in tall She may have travelled to the Glasgow area and also has links to Edinburgh said: “We are concerned for Toni’s welfare and are asking anyone who knows where she might be to come forward Re-Cycles organiser Ian Roxburgh works on a bike at the project’s workshop in Penicuik town centre A Penicuik social enterprise is steering a course for a more sustainable future after being awarded £1000 in funding from Levenseat Midlothian Council’s bulky waste recycling partner Re-Cycles Penicuik take donated bikes and scooters then repair and sell them on at low cost to local residents from their base in the town’s John Street shopping precinct The group initially applied for £500 to help pay for workshop items and additional storage – but were awarded double that amount by Levenseat who pledge financial support to local organisations involved in reuse and recycling initiatives through its Community Benefit Fund The extra funding has now gone towards the installation of heavy-duty workbenches as well as tool hangers and open shelving for spare parts and consumables needed to keep the project running smoothly Re-Cycles Penicuik organiser Ian Roxburgh said: “Basically we didn’t have a proper workshop – we were just working off the floor really and if you don’t have it you struggle So it’s about building that up – anything that can just make it a bit more professional or a wee bit quicker.” Re-Cycles Penicuik have refurbished or repaired around 1500 bikes since being set up by a handful of local volunteers in 2021 Relying on donated bikes that might otherwise go to disposal means they can turn them around at minimal cost and pass those savings on Reconditioned cycles can often be bought for as little as £20-£30 the project provides an affordable way to get into cycling – particularly for families given how quickly children can outgrow bikes Examining each bike that comes through the door and doing all the necessary work can take anything up to a couple of hours with every cycle subject to a multi-point MOT-style checklist before being put out for sale all money raised is put back into Re-Cycles Demand is such that they’ve also had to rent extra storage space to house the backlog In addition to serving a varied customer base Re-Cycles also take referrals from Social Work and local charities for those in need such as refugees “We had a blind tandem group in here last week They’re not wanting something for nothing – some of them are so grateful,” said Ian Even though the group is staffed by volunteers Retiree Ian reckons he can spend up to 30 hours a week fixing bikes and organising the collection of new donations Not every one of these can be saved – although they can be a valuable source for spare parts Future plans for Re-Cycles include getting out into the community more to demonstrate basic bike maintenance for local children and perhaps eventually branching out into offering e-bike servicing “I’ve often had to say to people – look just buy one of ours because you’d be cheaper Supermarket giants Lidl have appealed to Scottish Ministers after Midlothian planners refused to let them put up a flagpole in the latest battle over signs at its Penicuik store The food chain wants to put the totem style advertising sign at the entrance to its store at St Kentigern Way but was refused permission by the council who said it was out of character with the area’s conservation It is the latest round in a battle over signs at its store which has spanned more than 15 years and comes months after the store won an appeal to put illuminated signs on the shop front Midlothian Council repeatedly refused to give the food chain permission to replace the standard sign at their Penicuik store with ones which lit up with planners describing the illuminations as ‘garish’ However Lidl argued that the council had allowed the modern store to be built in the conservation area and should have expected them to want modern signs And the Scottish Government Reporter agreed pointing out that while it was in the conservation area of the town it was far enough away from any building of interest to not have an impact Overturning the council’s decision last summer the Reporter said: “I observed that the proposed sign would overlook the car park at the rear of the Penicuik shopping centre “None of these are in the conservation area I found that it would be too distant to be very conspicuous.” Now Lidl has appealed again after a bid to put a flagpole with the store sign on it at the entrance to the store car park was also rejected by planners which is also proposed to be lit up would be “not in keeping with the character or appearance of the Conservation Area” However in its appeal to Scottish Ministers the store points out the flagpole itself is lower than the store building’s height adding it is “to be expected in the town centre location and as part of a retail foodstore to provide awareness of the use of the building” The appeal will be determined by a Scottish Government Reporter Council Leader Kelly Parry and Transport Councillor Colin Cassidy free community bus will run between Pathhead and Penicuik from Monday 31st March which will drop and pick up passengers from stops including The Brae Top at Auchendinny and Vogrie Country Park offers two return journeys Mondays to Thursdays and one return service on Fridays The route includes picks ups and drop offs at Tesco Station Road in Newtongrange and Jarnac Court Passengers can also hail the bus on route even if not at a designated bus stop The route of the new community bus service The new service will be trialled for six months and delivered using some of the council’s dividend from Lothian Buses Cabinet Member for Transport Councillor Colin Cassidy and Council Leader Kelly Parry came along to meet the driver Cllr Cassidy said: “Councillor Parry and I have been pushing for this for a while we are now in a position to launch this new free service connecting communities east and west with shops “This six-month trial will hopefully prove to be a huge help for our communities especially in areas like Auchendinny which doesn’t have a local bus service “We know public transport is extremely important to residents many of whom rely on buses as the only form of public transport The service will be free initially but will eventually offer the same full and concessionary fares as Lothian Buses if the service becomes permanent You can find the full timetable here: www.midlothian.gov.uk/communitybus The aim of the project was to assist with the historic regeneration of the town centre through the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) Townscape Heritage grant and Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme grant Midlothian Council successfully applied for these grant schemes and added to the funding Local community organisations supported the initiative with help in kind i.e volunteering and providing local expertise The scheme started in 2018 with a total fund of £3.4m (including historic building owners’ contribution to the grant scheme) This was increased over the years to £5.1m with additional funding from the NLHF and HES and Scottish Government funding through their Town Centre Capital Fund and Place Based Investment Fund The Storehouse frontage at 22 High Street has been transformed as have adjoining shop frontages and some in The Square including the old Buttercup Dairy where original glazed tiles were found in the shop and restored as part of the improvement work.” The Provost went on to say the public realm work has significantly enhanced the character of the High Street making it safer and more comfortable for pedestrians while the area in front of the Town Hall is now more welcoming to visitors education and training programme has involved so many local organisations Some of the highlights include the traditional construction skills training sessions where over 100 pupils were able to have hands on experience with stone masonry Our training provider Craig Frew Conservation and Edinburgh College did a great job I really enjoyed the pop-up event organised over 3 days giving children and families the space and freedom to design build and play as they like with real tools using scrap timber Other successes including the restoration of the Hearse House and the development of the Heritage Trail a project involving volunteers and local community groups researching and interpreting the local history and heritage of the town The Provost says: “So much has been achieved and it is now important that we build on this and continue to improve and enhance the character of the town making it an attractive and interesting place for residents and visitors.” The photographs show No4 The Square before restoration and the same building after restoration A multi-million-pound regeneration project to breathe new life into Penicuik has exceeded its original aims the Penicuik Heritage Regeneration Project has repaired and restored 28 historic buildings improved public spaces and completed around 600 community engagement the chair of the Penicuik Heritage Regeneration Project Team said: “It’s fantastic to read Midlothian Voluntary Action’s evaluation report concludes the project has exceeded its original aims the now completed six-year project has achieved a great deal the shopfront improvements are helping boost the economy while the public realm work on the High Street and Bridge Street to widen and repave footpaths makes shopping in the area safer and more comfortable for pedestrians “The local character of the buildings has been restored and it has been wonderful to see young people learn about local history through storytelling art and tackling new skills like stonework “The project will leave a lasting legacy we can build upon We need volunteers to help run and manage the new heritage trail and to make best use of the newly restored Hearse House in St Mungo’s churchyard as a base for the trail repaving adjacent to nos 2-4 The Square will start in the spring completing the transformation of the town centre The Penicuik Heritage Regeneration is funded by Midlothian Council Historic Environment Scotland and is supported by Penicuik Community Development Trust the Penicuik Alliance and the Penicuik Historical Society If you are interested in any of the volunteering opportunities mentioned above email pcdt-management@penicuik.org.uk Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times Neighbours of the lightweight structure on Waterloo Bank had raised fears it was ‘unstable’  and set an unwelcome precedent for other drives in the street However Midlothian Council planners approved a retrospective planning application for it after ruling its stability was not their concern Planning officers who visited the home at the end of a cul-de-sac also dismissed concerns decorations hung on the frame set off neighbouring security lights in windy weather as a ‘private matter’ between the home owners And they said that while the pergola was ‘unusual’ it did not breach planning policy nor did its position in the corner of the street suggest it would inspire other residents to follow suit officers said: “Whilst it is somewhat unusual to see structures such as pergolas to the front of properties the application property is located at the end of the cul-de-sac with the garage that the pergola fronts being set back from the front of the application dwelling in addition to the lightweight nature of the pergola which has been painted green in keeping with the fenestration and boundary fences of the application and neighbouring properties the proposed development is not prominent within the street scene and does not have a significant impact on the character and appearance of the existing building the visual amenity of the street scene or the character and appearance of this part of the conservation area “This should not be seen as setting a precedent for similar structures to houses in the street.” Planners received four objections to the pergola including claims it created visual clutter was overshadowing and showed a disregard to the conservation area The owner of the home challenged the claims and said the pergola had concrete bolt down posts securing it and when it came to decorations on the frame they said: “Personal decorations are of no relevance to this application or others which hold no rights of deeds to the private home and land” Police charged a 57-year-old man in connection with the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 following the incident. Officers were called to reports of an out-of-control dog in the Eskbridge area around 11.30am on March 20. Two men, aged 22 and 33, sustained minor injuries that required medical treatment. A dog was also injured and had to be taken to the vet. Police traced the out of control dog to a nearby property and charged a 57-year-old man in connection with the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11.30am on Thursday, March 20, we received a report of a dog out of control in the Eskbridge area of Penicuik. “Two people and another dog were injured. A 22-year-old man and a 33-year-old man sustained minor injuries that required medical treatment. The dog was taken to a vet for treatment. “Officers traced the dog at a nearby property. It was seized and taken to kennels. “A 57-year-old man has been charged in connection with the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.” which is a category C listed building and was on Historic Environment Scotland’s list of buildings at risk Local people are invited to celebrate the restoration of the Hearse House and the launch of the Heritage Trail at a special event on Saturday 24 August The event starts at 10am at Penicuik Town Hall Provost Councillor Debbi McCall will give a short presentation and the manager of the Penicuik Heritage Regeneration project(PHRP) Rod Lugg will explain more about the project before giving guests the chance to have a look at Hearse House and go on a guided walk taking in the heritage trail display panels in the town centre The restoration of the Hearse House in St Mungo’s churchyard and the development of the Penicuik Town Centre Heritage Trail have been key projects in the Penicuik Heritage Regeneration Project (PHRP) community engagement It was in urgent need of repair; the roof was in poor condition and structural movement in the stone walls was of concern This small building was built in 1800 to house the original horse drawn hearse with grants from the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Fund repairing and repointing stone walls in a lime mortar and using as many recycled natural slates as possible to re-roof it The adjoining churchyard stone boundary walls have been repaired and repointed and the entrance gates and railings will also be repaired The interior of the Hearse House now displays nine exhibition boards illustrating many aspects of Penicuik’s unique history and heritage There is also a model of the Clerk Mausoleum an important ancient monument situated in St Mungo’s churchyard This will be a focal point of the heritage trail and will be open to visitors at pre-arranged times Walkers can also find six interpretive panels along the heritage trail in key positions in the town centre with information about historic buildings places and people important to the town’s development over the years A leaflet will be produced to assist visitors and residents to navigate the trail “I am relieved and pleased that we have been able to save and restore this important part of Penicuik’s history Giving the Hearse House a new lease of life as a base for the town centre heritage trial will enable visitors and residents to gain a valuable insight into aspects of the town’s history and heritage “I hope that it can be used by the schools as part of their history studies Penicuik has a unique heritage which hopefully will now be more accessible and encourage people to delve into the history and find out more .” 26 Mar 2025 By Morrison Construction has been named as preferred contractor for a school renovation and extension job in Midlothian Midlothian Council selected the Galliford Try subsidiary to redevelop Penicuik High School The local authority is seeking planning permission to add an extension to the 1930s building which has a B listing from Historic Environment Scotland and wants to reuse and retrofit the existing structure and create a new core area around the original assembly hall and courtyard It proposes to create a new social space for dining and indoor sports an outdoor learning hub and fresh green spaces An accessible entrance plaza will be created on the north side of the school with various other improvements made The venture will create space for up to 24 pupils with additional support needs Midlothian Council said the project would allow the school to accommodate its full roll of 945 pupils “comfortably” It did not disclose the construction value of the job although data intelligence provider Glenigan puts it at £44.7m with Holmes Miller as the project’s architects Councillor Ellen Scott said the improvements will create an “inspiring learning environment” in the “iconic landmark” managing director for Morrison Construction Building Central said the firm had a strong track record in renovating old school buildings into “spaces fit for the modern educational era” Glenigan data shows that Morrison Construction is the main contractor on two larger-value school jobs elsewhere in Scotland: the £65m Galashiels Academy campus in the Scottish Borders, and the £69m Paisley Grammar School west of Glasgow This story was written with AI assistance from Harmsworth Who is Harmsworth?… Construction on the redevelopment of Leeds United FC’s Elland Road Stadium could… This story was written with AI assistance from Harmsworth McLaren Construction Midlands… Three people have been arrested as part of a Serious Fraud Office… Plans for Penicuik High School include Montgomery Park Concern over the inclusion of part of a popular park in plans to redevelop a high school have been raised after it was speculated it could be used to store construction materials Midlothian councillors were given their first chance to comment on the plans for Penicuik High School put forward to planning by the council itself were welcomed by elected members there was caution over part of Montgomery Park questioned the inclusion of the playing field area after he said he understood plans for temporary accommodation for students during the work had been shelved Councillor McEwan said: “I am conscious that Penicuik’s parade in the park is situated on that part of MontgomeryPark I would not like to think there would be any long term prohibition for residents of Penicuik using that valuable piece of recreation land.” The council’s planning adviser Peter Arnsdorf told the meeting he thought the addition of the land would give the council ‘scope to decant’ during the redevelopment with the possibility it would be used to store construction materials and vehicles was still at the very early Pre-Application Notice (PAN) stage He said: “Once we get the details it might be worth another conversation at that point when we know exactly the plan for that part of the park but I think the point is well made over the long term and short term need to retain that part of it.” A report on the PAN was presented to the council’s planning committee on Tuesday this week for their views to be noted It proposes the “re-development of existing high school including erection of extensions formation of roads and sports pitches; and associated works.” Councillor David Virgo welcomed the application saying it was ‘good to see some movement on improving the school” Councillor McManus said: “There is a lot of community excitement around this so I am glad to see it coming to planning “I was a student at Penicuik High School and it [the work] was in very dire need at the time of I was there and all the students ill be very pleased for this to be bashing on now.”