David R Smith’s widow, Edit, cut the ribbon at a special ceremony on Friday on site at Buccleuch Street in Dalkeith. Mr Smith’s son Peter and daughter Ilona were also at the event, along with council leader Councillor Kelly Parry, the cabinet member for housing Councillor Stuart McKenzie, ward councillor Margot Russell, friends and other local dignitaries.

Peter said that while his father never served his community to be recognised, having a social housing development named after him was fitting way for others who wanted to remember his legacy.

He added: “In the 1960s and 1970s, my dad and others in Midlothian were responsible for pushing forward with truly progressive social housing policies. He would also have been very appreciative of the environmental sustainability aspect of the development.”

Councillor McKenzie said: “David had a number of high-profile roles within the council, including provost and convenor. He was also instrumental in forging strong cultural ties with other countries through chairing the twinning association. It is fitting that we open this memorial to his memory in the shadow of Midlothian House.

“One of David’s passions was cataloguing the history of Dalkeith and its folk. This building behind us is historic. This is the first Passivhaus building in Midlothian.

“In a hundred years’ time when future historians are giving examples of the first generation of new energy-efficient buildings, they will look to David Smith House for a place in the history books. That seems a fitting and proper way to remember David.”

Councillor Margot Russell, speaking on behalf of the ward councillors, added: “We are honoured to see these flats named after David Smith. During his time on Dalkeith Town Council and Midlothian District Council, he was always open to new ideas on housing and these flats are new indeed.

“The method of construction will meet the challenges of climate change and zero carbon emissions, and I am sure David would have thoughts about our planet.

“As one of the three elected members of Dalkeith ward, I know the people of Dalkeith and Woodburn are delighted that Midlothian Council is recognising David by this naming.”

Mr Smith was elected to Dalkeith Burgh Council in 1952 at the age of 21, becomming the youngest councillor in Scotland. In 1975 local government in Scotland was reorganised and he became an elected member of Midlothian District Council.

He stood down after 40 years’ service after the further local government reorganisation in 1996.

The six new flats in a courtyard behind Buccleuch Street in Dalkeith, part of the most ambitious energy-efficient council housing programme in Scotland, welcomed new council tenants a few months ago. The one- and two-bedroom apartments are among 207 ‘green’ Midlothian Council homes built to the demanding ‘Passivhaus’ standard.

The Buccleuch Street project also includes three energy-efficient studios and a two-bedroom flat above shops in a historic building opposite the library and dating back to the 1700s. The retail units have been refurbished and the original shop fronts retained.