The project is among the council’s most ambitious capital programme ever, which is seeing record investment of more than £0.8 billion through to 2025.

The old Dalkeith High development will create 52 new council houses of mixed size and style for rent on the site at Newmills Road. It will also include a 40-bed care facility, along with infrastructure and landscaping.

The steel frame and foundations are now completed for the extra care unit, the extra care bungalows are now wind and watertight and foundations and timber frames are underway for the remaining homes.

Councillor Stephen Curran, Midlothian Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for housing, said: “Ogilvie Construction has made commendable progress on this major development, especially given the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.

“We’re delighted we remain on target and on budget to finish these fantastic new homes and care facilities at the end of the year. We’re working with Ogilvie Construction to make sure the project brings major community benefits.

“There will be more than 100 people employed on the project at its height later this year. Local people are targeted for new job opportunities whenever possible and the contractor is committed to offering at least three apprenticeships, work to a previously unemployed local person, as well as work placements for local people and the chance for nine local workers to improve their skills.”

The project compliments work underway on a 40-bedroom care complex and 46 extra care flats alongside a day-care unit on the former St Mary’s primary school site in Bonnyrigg.