Smith Scott Mullan Associates submitted proposals on behalf of the local authority to renovate and extend an existing building in Buccleuch Street to form two retail units and four flats with a new build Passivhaus development providing an additional six apartments.

The new flats will be a mix of one and two-bedroom properties, with the flats in the refurbished existing building expected to be made up of three studios and one two-bedroom flat.

While it is proposed that the new flats are retained as council properties, the plans for the existing studios and additional two-bedroom flat have not been revealed.

A report on the design of the new flats by the council’s planning officer said: “The new block of flats will be Passivhaus certified and will have highly insulated walls, triple-glazed windows and mechanical ventilation, with heat recovery units in each flat.

“Passivhaus is widely recognised as a practical and achievable means of zero carbon new build residential development.

“The use of this approach will aid Midlothian Council in achieving its aspiration to become carbon neutral by 2030.”