Midlothian dance academy hopes to waltz into new park pavilion home in Lasswade

KLASS Academy, which operates out of halls at Lasswade Rugby Club, has applied for planning permission to convert the pavilion, in Lasswade Park, into a new base.

Plans for the pavilion would see two studios created along with office space to provide the dance school with a Midlothian base.

An application for a change of use to the pavilion, lodged with Midlothian Council, outlines proposals to allow other local activity groups to use the studio space, as well as creating a small mess area.

The dance school said it hoped the move would allow it to introduce more morning classes so children on its waiting lists could take up additional spaces.

The dance studio currently operates from 3pm to 9pm Monday to Thursday, 1pm to 4pm on Fridays, and on Saturday mornings from 9am to 1pm.

Applying for the change of use, Kassy Crawford from the school said classes were usually attended by between 20 to 22 dancers, although numbers were reduced under Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines.

In a supporting statement, she said: “We plan to extend timings, especially on a Friday, Saturday to accommodate more morning classes and afternoon classes on a Saturday to award places to children on our waiting lists.

“Currently we cannot hold any more classes due to building/ venue access.”