Sport and leisure facilities in Midlothian have received a boost with plans approved by Midlothian Council to build a new skatepark inLoanhead along with the introduction of additional floodlighting at Penicuik Park and King’s Park, Dalkeith.
The new skatepark is to be built within King George’s Field public park in Loanhead which already provides an array of facilities including a leisure centre, two outdoors all-weather five-a-side football pitches, a grass football pitch, a children’s play park, and sports pavilion, also used by the Army Cadet Force.
The skatepark proposals, submitted by Loanhead Community Development Association, are for a V-shaped layout, with two 50 metre arms incorporating a variety of slopes and level changes.
Councillor Owen Thompson, cabinet member with responsibility for planning & development, commented; “The skatepark will enhance the facilities for young people in the park, providing further benefit to Loanhead’s recreational needs.
“At Penicuik Park, there are floodlights already serving the synthetic pitches and the 12 new floodlights will now allow training and play on the existing grass football and rugby pitches once darkness falls.
“The plans for the football pitch at King’s Park in Dalkeith, which is used by Dalkeith Thistle Football Club, is to replace existing six metre high lighting columns with six new 15 metre high columns.â€
In granting planning permission, Midlothian Council has stipulated that the new floodlights at Penicuik and Dalkeith will not be used after 10pm. No floodlights are proposed at the skatepark in Loanhead.