Midlothian's planning committee has approved a proposal for a new Sainsbury store in the centre of Dalkeith.

The site was previously home to an old bus station, post office and train station. The remaining structures are to be examined for contamination to ensure they are safe for construction to go ahead.

Midlothain councillor Alex Bennett welcomed the proposals, to which the developers had added amendments since concerns were raised at the committee's October meeting about the design and colour of the construction.


Grey, ceramic cladding had been viewed by councillors as "harsh and incongrous", and were later changed to a more agreeable light brown.

Councillor Bennet said: "I am quite pleased with changes that have taken place. We vastly need a new supermarket in Dalkeith."

Sainsbury’s have recently announced profits of £232 million, with 16.5 million shoppers passing through its tills each week. The new addition to its present sprawl throughout the UK hopes to continue this momentum, and maintain the company’s present growth in revenue.

(DW/SP)