Midlothian Council will consider plans to establish a dedicated Muslim cemetery on agricultural land near Newbattle, following a planning application lodged on 1 September 2026. The WAFA Foundation charity, which would own and operate the facility if approved, has proposed the site between the King's Gate and Lothian Bridge at Newbattle, near Dalkeith, to serve Edinburgh and the Lothians' growing Muslim population.
The development would accommodate 2,000 burial plots over the next 100 years, with capacity for up to 50 burials annually. According to local reporting, the site could potentially offer space for a further 3,000 plots in future years, significantly expanding the facility's long-term potential. The charity's supporting statement indicates that the site has been acquired subject to the necessary planning consents being granted.
Muslim burials in the United Kingdom follow Islamic religious practices, with interment typically occurring as soon as possible after death, often within 24 hours where circumstances permit. The WAFA Foundation noted that Scottish Muslim Funeral Services has worked with local authorities across Edinburgh and the Lothians since 2013 to identify suitable burial sites, but this search has been complicated by a persistent shortage of available space for bodies to be interred quickly in accordance with Islamic tradition.
What will the development include?
The proposals involve constructing two funeral buildings to provide mortuary, service and prayer facilities necessary for Islamic burial practices. The planning application, registered under reference MID/26/00437/DPP, describes the scheme as a change of use from agricultural land to cemetery, along with erection of funeral buildings, alteration to the existing stone wall, and formation of new access and car parking facilities. Access to the site would be through the B-listed King's Gate archway, a 19th-century structure built for King George IV's visit to Newbattle Abbey in 1822.
Why is this cemetery needed?
The WAFA Foundation stated that the cemetery would allow families to be buried together and address growing demand for burial space according to Islamic funeral tradition. The organisation's planning documents emphasised that the facility would serve a Muslim population across Edinburgh and the Lothians that currently lacks dedicated burial provision tailored to religious requirements. The ability to conduct burials quickly, as Islamic practice requires, has been hindered by the limited availability of suitable sites in the region.
What is the current status?
The application remains awaiting decision from Midlothian Council planners. The local authority will formally consider the proposals at a later date, with the determination process now underway. Midlothian already operates an existing cemetery at Newbattle, which opened in 1925 and remains part of the council's burial provision.
Key Facts
- The proposed cemetery would accommodate 2,000 plots over 100 years, with potential for a further 3,000 plots in future expansion
- The site would handle up to 50 burials annually, allowing families to be buried together in accordance with Islamic practice
- Access would be via the historic King's Gate archway, a Category B listed structure built for King George IV's 1822 visit to Newbattle Abbey
- The WAFA Foundation has been working with local authorities since 2013 to identify suitable burial sites across Edinburgh and the Lothians
- The planning application includes two funeral buildings with mortuary and prayer facilities, plus new car parking and access arrangements
