New £22.4 million Straiton retail park plan for hotel, shops, housing, community green space and homes for the elderly

A new retail park project next to Straiton could create 145 permanent jobs as well as providing additional affordable housing and care for the elderly.

How the New Pentland project could look

The proposals for New Pentland by Pentland Park Marine Ltd include a hotel, food retail, housing, elderly accommodation and commercial premises on the site next to Straiton, which adjoins the junction of the A701 and Pentland Road.

And developers say the project could see more than £22 million invested in it, with 145 permanent jobs created and a further 172 required during its construction.

The ambitious plans, which are set to go out to public consultation, could be realised in just two years, according to developers who say they have come up with an opportunity not previously considered by Midlothian Council.

Promoting the project on the newly created www.new-pentland.com website, they say: “It has emerged as a result of sustained and established demand for new food retail development and other mixed-use commercial and residential interest in this particular location.

“Moreover, the current economic crisis created by COVID-19 has heightened the need to deliver positive local economic development and job opportunities through development.”

They go on to say: “New Pentland will offer more than just commercial development. The proposals will also deliver new amenity greenspace, well-lit footpaths, a children’s play park and other community facilities as well as a range of new homes for the elderly.

“This is an exciting opportunity, which can be maximised to deliver a quality development that improves local amenity, delivers economic development and jobs and in doing so achieves the aspirations for this strategic growth corridor.”

The plans will be put to the public via unmanned exhibitions to be displayed outside Pentland Park on the main office building and using online chats.

The exhibition will be in place from Wednesday, February 10, and remain on display throughout the consultation process.

The First online chat is scheduled for the same day between 3pm and 8pm with a second virtual event in March, with detail still to be confirmed.

Details of the consultation will be promoted on the dedicated website for the project.

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