Ryan Newall

Once completed, the 4.9-hectare ‘Doctor’s Field’ site, to the north east of Rosewell, will have a mix of homes ranging from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom detached homes, and locally-popular cottage flats, with 25% of affordable homes on site.

The development is part of Midlothian Council’s Local Development Plan and will build on the Hamilton employer’s strong local legacy, with its Roselea development, in partnership with Miller Homes, being built and fully occupied in 2017.

A significant portion of Banks’ Doctor’s Field development will be dedicated to landscaped green space, including a diverse mix of trees and shrubs; the plans also include strengthening existing hawthorn hedges.

Ryan Newall, head of land development at Banks Property, said: “The need for new homes in Midlothian is clear: Demand for new homes within commuting distance to Edinburgh has easily outstripped supply in recent years, pushing up prices and making homeownership out of reach for many. Also building new homes will help to support the local economy as Midlothian, and the whole of Scotland, seeks to recover from the damaging financial impact of the Covid pandemic.

“We’re delighted to have gained full planning permission at Rosewell. This will give a chance for young families to buy a quality home in this area and to get on the housing ladder.

“In line with our development with care approach, we worked closely with the local community throughout every step of the planning process. We held meetings, a public exhibition, and completed door-to-door surveys in the village, to communicate our plans with local people and to give them an opportunity to feedback their views and ideas.”

The Banks Community Fund also provided a £3,350 grant for the delivery of a woodland classroom in 2017 and a £4,760 grant towards improving IT facilities at the current Community Hub at Rosewell Development Trust; well used by local jobseekers and senior residents and other members of the local community.

Mr Newall added: “We urge local people and businesses to support the new brilliant Community Hub that – despite the pandemic – the excellent Rosewell Development Trust has designed and built. It is a brilliant new asset to this historic village; and just down the road from our Doctor’s Field site.”