Plans to demolish a former scout hut and replace it with two new three bedroom homes on the edge of a rural hamlet have been rejected by Midlothian planners.

Nearly 50 objections to the plans at Borthwick, near Gorebridge, were lodged with claims it would have a negative impact on the conservation area and A-listed Borthwick Castle, overlooking it.

And concerns were raised about its effect on the neighbouring field which is still used to host scout camps.

The applicants had argued that the presence of the disused scout hut on the land made it a ‘brownfield’ site which qualified it for housing, however planners dismissed the claim saying the land is “completely natural aside from a small building, which previously was used for a countryside activity”.

A previous application for hous

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