Minutes March 2025

The March 2025 NCC meeting chaired by John Muir @ Newbattle Community Learning Centre.  The meeting captured community concerns and on-going issues, other issues discussed was the police report, housing planned for The Pool site, Springfield development, Crawlees, Pool Site, local issues and correspondence.

1. Welcome and introductions – 
   1. Apologies: John Muir, Linda Anderson, Willie Darling, Bill Hunter, Marion Brown, Sarah Matthews and William Hunter

1. Previous minutes –Feb 2025 minutes : accepted after minor amendments proposed by JR- seconded by LL
2. Matters arising
   
   1. Action for Clr. Scott to liaise with Wayne Clark to ask Roads Inspector to review NCC complaint regarding the state of the pavement & road on Crawlees Road around NWH. Local cars and housing properties have been seriously discoloured. Consideration required to regularly sweep and clean area & monitor air quality. The meeting discussed Corby as an example of the need to be on top of the situation.
   2. PC Jason Mackenzie unavailable due to the apprehension of a rider on suron electric bike. PC Ally Hutchison is off at present with Finlay supporting Jason. 
   3. Riders on off-road electric surron style motorbikes & quad bikes are an issue currently. With a recent quad bik accident leading to a serious injury. Police cannot approach riders who are not wearing a helmet. DNA successfully used in identification of a rider in Midlothian. PC Mackenzie/Hutchison have had particular success with the removal of 37 off-road bikes to date. Children using illegal bikes may get points on a license.
   4. JR informed PC Miller that youths were seen cutting down trees with dangerous tools for the purpose of building dens behind a residential property on Carrington Road. There is the potential of a fire risk with groups congregating along woodland paths especially with the re-introduction of brighter nights and warmer weather. Police Scotland in are in the process of sending out messages to school regarding issues raised.
   5. PC Miller mentioned the Community Alcohol Partnership padlet that is easy to use and will have all updated local events in the area. This will hopefully lead to more connections and less anti-social behaviour. NCC members can send CM an email.
   6. Tam Finlay to reinstate benches and the see saw in Newtongrange Park. TF to have discussions with Midlothian Council colleagues to find out what plans are in place to replace the flying fox, in the playpark.
   7. NCC members should email Chair regarding funding application projects not discussed asap.
   8. Committees to be on agenda   April meeting
   9. Newbattle Home Farm planning application to be on agenda for April meeting.
   10. Newtongrange Church awaiting open date (still under builder control).
   11. Action for JA to discuss WOIN post criteria.
   12. Action for SM to report on key issue @ Newtongrange Park noticeboard for April meeting.
   13. Action for SM to see if NCC needs to arrange for individualI.S.O  
3. Police report – Circulated to members by email and read out to attendees by PC CM
4. Councillor Report
   
   1. Councillor’s Report – 
   2. Clr Bowen – The Pool site hoarding/heras fencing is now been erected. Clr was alerted to the fact that rubbish/tee debris was piled up in the middle and could be a fire-hazard. Newtongrange Pharmacy finally has the building warrant required to move to old RBS building 131 Main Street, EH22 4PF. There will be no planned closure time with continuity of pharmacy service until new planned premises open date in May 2025. Planners do not know what Barrett Redrow are planning to do regarding Lingerwood site. Ward Councillors had informal meeting with officials regarding Crawless Road infrastructure issues. RM asked if the safe guarding route can be reinstated. The developer still requires a distributor route. Why not reconsider the Westhouses shrub land beside Newbattle Health Centre. This has been the earmarked route since the 1960s. RM also asked if the public can be present at Planning meetings? Clr Scott – Two contatiners due to be removed from ‘The Pool Site’ next month. Plans ongoing to extend school playground to an under-used area at the top of the playpark. This will provide grass surface for all pupils, with fencing and lockable gate separating the area from the public park during school hours.
   3. Treasurer –
      
      1. Financial figure – Still £1,588.15 in the bank. Still waiting on statement which includes £408 received from Midlothian Council.
   4. MFCC – N/A
   5. Planning – N/A
5. Pool Site –  The aim is to move the  shipping containers in the spring. There is still material belonging to the church. A new contractor will be required to move the containers. Clr. McKenzie (Clr. M) Cabinet member for housing discussed the plans for modular housing in the site. Noted that one supplier Wee Building Company went bust. This will not directly affect plans going forward. The total build cost is for 18 social housing units @ a current planned cost of £300,000 per unit. There is planned to be 5 houses on other side of the road. Clr M is looking to get cost per house down with an aim of 200,000-215,000 approx. per house. At the current stage detailed design work is getting worked up amd  the paper is with Senior officers in the council. A progress report and then indicative plans will then be created and made public with planning & procurement wit a current time line of 12 to 14 months. Clr. M felt that best gains were incurred once you do the preparatory groundwork a large amount of the building work will be done off sites, time savings, less waste and pre-constructed pods will get delivered. JM highlighted the company Scotframe from Inverurie, Aberdeenshire RM asked about thermal value. Clr M mentioned that Passivhaus housing had been worth trying but there is a huge amount of subsidy involved. There was a plea to consider the red brickwork and the importance of the site and to be in-keeping with the heritage & character of the rest of Newtongrange. Midlothian Council are currently in the process of looking at buying back house. JM asked about the listed Carnegie Library in Bonnyrigg. The new temporary hoardings when replaced with new ones with text/images that would advertise the new development.   
6. NCC Funding application for 25/26 – NCC discussed lack of street signage and dire need to clearly locate i.e how to get to Newbattle Community Leaning Centre & why it is not in the centre of the village. Current signs are limited and confusing. NCC to take a lead on this and look to produce a map both in print & digital (Create a What Is In Newtongrange map & information pamphlet). Advertisement and promotion of local businesses who may wish to contribute to production cost. JA action to contact Jim Morgan, regarding size and number of print required.  Option for multiple folded item. Need to improve & keep NCC website functional & social media current with latest information and campaigns. Limited number of posts and contributors.    Action for Rebecca McCosh to reach out to marketing/media outlets regarding map/website proposal. Action looking for contributors to provide a curated series of posts on website/social media. SE would be happy to help with campaign. Look to get play equipment in park up to a good standard for park centenary. Action for Clr. Scott to look at how Newtongrange could get 3 or 4 welcome signs like the ones in Toll Brae & Mossend, Gorebridge and look to place them where we get most impact.
7. Springfield – Barrett Redrow homes sale SH mentioned farmer is only planting grass over fields. Pipes have been inserted in field area phase 7: Gowkshill.
8. Crawlees – Robert and Crawlees sub committee met workers at the constituency office of Midlothian MP, Kirsty McNeill, looking to make contact with Midlothian MSP, Christine Grahame next. Planning Aid Scotland might also be an option to consider.  It is true there has not been fatalities on the road but there has been a large number of accidents & near misses. Concerns raised about the already dangerous crossing points & viability of a potential cycle way & path with roads narrowing fro 7.3m to 5.4m & below.  RM pointed out the ignominies in the Midlothian Council vehicle figures for 22/11/23 btwn 7-8am & his own compiled on 21/2/25 btwn 12-13PM especially regarding capacity especially the passenger car unit conversion see attachment scan_randerson_2025-03-17-14-39-27.  The safe guarding route must be reconsidered. Be interesting to see how the Barratt sale will effect the development. NCC former Vice-Chair offered this:  – It’ll slow down the process and likely mean the plots have to back in for detailed planning. – The over approved master plan won’t change I don’t think. – The new owner will have slightly different house types to Springfield, so some specific reworking might be required. – It may mean that more detailed developer discussions with MC planning is necessary, should the new owners wish to change previous agreements made with Springfield. Bit unknown and depends on their approach – could be wide reaching, might be minimal. Depends how quickly the new owners want to get cracking! 
9. A7 Sustainable Transport Study discussion – Crossing at The Sun Inn/John Inglis garage universally favoured. Need for a proper cycle path that splits from the road, not one further narrowing Dalhousie Road and something similar to the pedestrian path on the new distirbution road in Bonnyrigg. Action for Chair to contact Clr Scott about area beyond Sun Inn that MTRAP/Council Officers had previously looked at compulsory acquisition from landowner.  Action for Chair to respond on behalf of NCC by 31/3/25
10. Repeat prescription ordering @ Newbattle Surgery – Issue regarding paper copies is still a concern. Action for Clr Scott to ensure Medical Practices are giving clear guidance regarding repeat prescriptions.
11. Tennis update – Courts still to be sparayed by Sportex. There is a need for signange to know what is going on. Look to get banners for tennis courts with latest information (Tennis Scotland/LTA). NCC looking to help promote tennis win Newtongrange nad how to ensure all local schools are involved.
12. Locksmith suggestion for noticeboard – Any recommendations contact SM on secretary@newtongrange.org
13. Newtongrange Garden Competition representative – SM & RM to meet up regarding 2025 competition
14. Correspondence – Issue with Newtongrange Primary School staff parking on surrounding streets (6th/7th Streets?). SM to respond to correspondent regarding new temporary road closure on specific roads near school over drop-off times. A resident suggested having a Medicinema in the Child Health Clinic, 75 St Davids, EH22 4LD. 
15. Next Meeting – Tuesday 29th April 2025 6.30-8.30pm @ Newbattle Community Centre – IT Suit