Newbattle Housing, Midlothian

Supporting Passivhaus Housing with Integrated Cycle and Waste Infrastructure

Project Overview

Newbattle Housing is a major Passivhaus residential development delivered for Midlothian Council and Melville Housing Association on the site of the former Newbattle High School in Easthouses.

The wider scheme provides 118 homes, including a first phase of 90 homes built to Passivhaus standards. Designed to deliver highly energy efficient homes with low running costs for residents, the development forms part of Midlothian Council’s wider programme to reduce fuel poverty while progressing toward its long-term net zero ambitions.

As part of the external infrastructure for the development, metroSTOR was specified to provide integrated cycle and waste storage facilities across the site. Working with architects Smith Scott Mullan and contractor Ogilvie Construction, the storage systems were incorporated into the masterplan to support the day‑to‑day operation of the estate while maintaining the quality of the public realm.

Specification Requirements

External storage infrastructure needed to support both the operational requirements of the estate and the wider design ambitions of the Passivhaus housing scheme.

Key requirements included:

• Secure and organised storage of household waste containers
• Integration of cycle parking facilities to support sustainable travel
• Durable materials suitable for long‑term residential use
• Infrastructure that could be distributed across the masterplan without creating visual clutter
• Controlled access to prevent misuse and reduce waste management issues
• Storage solutions compatible with the architectural language of the development

Development Context

The Newbattle development occupies the former playing fields of Newbattle High School and forms part of a wider regeneration programme in the Easthouses area.

The scheme combines affordable homes for Midlothian Council with mid‑market rent properties delivered through Melville Housing Association. Homes are arranged in short terraces and semi‑detached configurations, set within landscaped public spaces, private gardens and shared green areas.

Designed by Smith Scott Mullan, the layout emphasises overlooked streets, pedestrian movement and connections to the surrounding area, including the Newbattle Abbey Green Network.

Design & Specification Process

The project required early coordination between the design team, contractor and specialist suppliers to ensure that supporting infrastructure such as waste storage and cycle parking could be integrated into the wider masterplan.

metroSTOR worked with Smith Scott Mullan and Ogilvie Construction throughout the design and specification stages to develop solutions suited to the layout and operational requirements of the scheme. The collaboration ensured that storage facilities could be incorporated into the development in a way that supported both functionality and the visual quality of the public realm.

The aim was to provide secure, robust infrastructure that would serve residents over the long term while complementing the wider architectural and landscape design.

Specified Solution

Waste Storage Infrastructure:

The development incorporates a distributed network of metroSTOR external bin storage units across the site.

• 66 × metroSTOR PBR bin storage units
• Capacity: 3 × 140–360L two‑wheel bins per unit
• Frame: polyester powder‑coated steel
• Cladding: Firenze Nordic Night Black
• Access: Locinox digital lock system

Combined Cycle & Waste Storage:

Two larger metroSTOR PBH storage structures were installed to combine waste storage with integrated cycle parking.

• Galvanised steel frames
• ForestPanel slatted cladding
• Internal Centaur ST cycle stands for secure cycle parking

Installation & Operational Benefits

The metroSTOR units were delivered and installed as part of the wider construction programme led by Ogilvie Construction.

By providing enclosed and secure storage for waste containers, the system helps to manage common estate challenges such as bin clutter, windblown litter and visual impact within residential streets.

Operational benefits include:

• Improved organisation of household waste containers
• Reduced visual clutter within residential streets
• Secure cycle storage encouraging active travel
• Durable steel systems designed for long‑term residential use

Development Context:

The Newbattle project represents one of the largest Passivhaus housing developments undertaken by Midlothian Council.

The scheme forms part of a wider programme delivering more than 200 Passivhaus homes across the region. The approach taken at Newbattle demonstrates how high‑performance housing can be combined with well‑planned public realm and supporting infrastructure, providing a model for future developments.