West Grove Apartments.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Residents in an over-55s housing development in Melrose have failed in an attempt to curtail a new homes complex on their doorstep.
An application from Rural Renaissance for the change of use of 1 To 7 West Grove in Waverley Road to form five houses and two flats, with 15 car parking spaces, has been approved.
Back in 2017 the vacant building, formerly Scottish Water offices, received never-enacted upon planning approval for conversion to a gym and spa club.
Some residents living in the neighbouring West Grove Apartments were among 16 objections to the new housing bid.
They argued they had been misled into buying their properties due to the promised gym, and labelled the latest proposal as over-development.
At a meeting of Scottish Borders Council’s Planning & Building Standards Committee, objector James Murray, a resident of West Grove, told the committee: “We were attracted to the apartment because it was an over-55 development. Another attraction was we were told there was to be a gymnasium and spa in the vacant property adjacent to us.
“This obviously did not happen and we are now faced with an application which appears to us to be cramming in as many properties as possible into a limited space for maximum profit.
“With the addition of new properties into an already limited area it is inevitable that residents will be living in close proximity to each other. Therefore we think it would be sensible to designate the new properties as homes for over-55s, thus allowing for a compatible community where residents have similar lifestyles and expectations.”
In response, Ross Martin, from RM architecture, as agent for the occupant, said the development offered “secure, high-quality living spaces”.
He added: “This very same building design previously held planning consent to operate as a gym and a spa facility.
“Consider the realities of a commercial gym. It would bring a high volume of daily footfall, significant transient traffic and extended operating hours from early morning until late at night in the middle of a residential area.
“By stark contrast residential apartments are a quiet, low intensity use. Converting this building into homes will generate a fraction of the traffic, remove entirely the threat of commercial noise during unsocial hours and protect the privacy of neighbouring properties.”
Councillors unanimously approved the application after a request for a site visit was rejected.
Councillor Donald Moffat, SNP for Mid-Berwickshire, said: “If it was me I would prefer to have houses rather than gym next door to me.”
Councillor Neil Richards, Conservative for Hawick & Denholm. added: “We need more residential properties in a place like Melrose and I support this.”
The proposed development.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Ninety-six homes are to be built in a Borders village despite concerns over the omission of a pedestrian bridge.
Belfast-based property developer The Mayfair Group has won approval for the major development on land adjacent to Sprouston Burn at Newtown St Boswells.
Members of Scottish Borders Council’s Planning and Building Committee today rubber-stamped plans despite concerns raised at the lack of a pedestrian bridge.
Objector Gavin Hewitt told the committee that objectors were not opposed to the development of the site in principle, rather the “excessive” density of the plans, saying:
“Planning for this site was first considered in the 1990s and the council’s view has been that 68 houses represented an appropriate density. You are being asked now to approve 96 houses, a 40 percent increase with no justification other than the developer’s interest.”
Mr Hewitt also cited the absence of a pedestrian bridge in the plans, to ensure safe school access, adding: “If a bridge was deemed necessary for 68 houses it is even more necessary to service 96 houses. Arguments that a bridge would make the development unviable should be treated with some scepticism.”
Bridgeen Boyd, on behalf of The Mayfair Group, responded: “We are very keen to expand our presence in Scotland and particularly in the Borders, where we see a real opportunity not just to deliver in housing but to invest in communities and support long-term growth.
“We have carefully considered how this site connects to the wider village. We are investing in pedestrian infrastructure, including a footpath around the site providing safe and convenient access to local services, schools and communities.
“A bridge connection was fully explored, however, it is not viable due to the significant costs, engineering complexity and health and safety concerns.”
Councillor Sandy Scott, Conservative for Jedburgh, described the development as “very exciting”, adding: “It does come down density of houses, which I am quite happy with and the footbridge, which I’m quite happy with as well. I had to walk for over a mile to go to school, so I don’t see that point six of a kilometre is too bad.”
Councillor Viv Thomson, SNP for Tweeddale West, opposed the development, questioning the “huge leap” from the recommended 68 houses to 96 homes and described the building of a bridge as “key”.
But Councillor Eric Small, Conservative for Tweeddale West, felt the benefits outweighed the negatives, adding: “We have a housing emergency and it’s going to keep young couples in the area to work here, to bring their children to school here.”
The developer has joined forces with Scottish Borders Housing Association on the development which is to include a mix of detached, semi-detached, terraced properties and bungalows.
Hawick Boxing Club
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A Borders boxing club is back off the ropes after approval was granted to move into a town police station.
There was shock in September last year when Hawick Boxing Club learned of a 60 per cent hike on the rent of its premises in Princes Street.
The club was founded in 1937 and remains a vital community resource attended by 60 youngsters every week, helping improve both their fitness and discipline.
Police Scotland stepped into the breach by allowing the use of its police gym at the town’s Howdenbank station by club members.
Now that arrangement has been formalised after an application for a certificate of lawfulness for the club to operate from the gym four hours each week was approved by Scottish Borders Council.
A report approving the application, from SBC planning officer Stuart Small, states: “The key consideration in this instance is whether the use of the police station gym by the local boxing club for two hours twice a week would comprise a material change of use requiring planning permission.
“Police Scotland are offering the use of their gym to a local boxing club who have recently vacated their own premises and the area of floorspace occupied by the gym is only a small proportion of the wider police station.
“The use of the gym by the local boxing club for four hours per week is not considered to be a material change of use and its operation as an ancillary gym for the police station would remain the principal use of the space.”
