These ‘green’ homes, central to the council’s net zero targets, are under financial scrutiny as they reportedly cost up to £150,000 more to construct than standard homes, Midlothian View reports.

At a council meeting, councillor Stuart McKenzie, the SNP’s housing spokesperson for Midlothian Council, spearheaded the motion to pause the Passivhaus commitment.

Cllr McKenzie explained: “I think at the time we made the right decision for the right reasons, but if the chamber is content I would like to propose we pause the use of Passivhaus so we can better understand the cost variants and why it is coming out significantly more expensive.

“It could be that we move forward with Passivhaus in the future or find another way to provide houses that are just as warm.”

Recent figures stirred this reconsideration, with builds at Dalkeith’s Buccleuch Street and Newbattle marked at a staggering £330,276 and £341,456 per unit, respectively. In contrast, non-Passivhaus homes in Newtongrange estimated costs of just £182,886 each.

Even when enhanced energy standards were employed, the expenditure per unit was significantly lower than Passivhaus, at £302,000 per unit.

A report to councillors said: “Passivhaus is an internationally known standard with exceptionally high energy efficiency working to achieve buildings close to Zero Carbon and in turn address fuel poverty issue in a time of ever-increasing fuel bills.”

However local councillors are worried by the financial strain leading to their demand for a comprehensive analysis of the benefits vis-à-vis other energy-efficient housing options.

Councillor Stephen Curran expressed scepticism about the proclaimed 80 per cent energy bill reduction with Passivhaus homes, supporting the need for a comparative efficiency assessment.

Councillors have agreed that, until such an assessment has been made, future Passivhaus developments will remain on pause.