The development, which can be brought forward without undue delay, will comprise up to 400 homes (included 25 per cent affordable housing), as well as commercial uses. Section 75 contributions will serve to enhance the school offering.

The Salter’s Park site has been allocated for employment use in the Midlothian Local Development Plan since 1974 without attracting any market activity.

Residential development will serve to generate the value to allow the 29.5 hectare site to be brought into productive use and ensure that it provides employment opportunities. It also provides an opportunity to deliver new community facilities for the area.

This is something that employment use on its own, for which there has been no interest for the last four decades, is simply unable to deliver. A mixed-use development will allow some measure of employment use on the site to actually take place and also serve to address the current ground conditions through the value created by residential development.

Given its location close to the school campus and local centre, Salter’s Park is an ideal location for sustainable development.

Noting the desire from the local community for some form of community facility, discussions have taken place with Lasswade Athletics Club regarding providing community and changing facilities for the Club. The intention is that this will not just be used by the Club, but can also be used by the local community.

Commenting on the proposals, Steph Rennie, associate at Buccleuch Property, said: “We are delighted to be lodging this planning application for Salter’s Park. The site is currently untenable solely as employment land as the value generated through residential development is required to bring it into productive use for both residential and employment use.

“Not only will development deliver much-needed housing and employment uses, but we have also been working closely with Lasswade Athletics Club to deliver a facility that will be used not only by the Club, but also by the local community.”

Stuart Tait, chairman of Lasswade Athletics Club, said: “We are one of the fastest growing athletics clubs in Scotland but currently have very limited facilities that allow our members to change and meet in.

“Working closely with Buccleuch Property, the council and SportScotland we have explored the potential to deliver a facility neighbouring the track, not only for our use, but also for the local community.”