Tuesday January 20th 2026
The propsed homes
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Two brothers’ hopes of living side-by-side near a popular coastal site in Berwickshire were dashed today.
Adam Aitchison has inherited land north west of Milldown Farmhouse in Coldingham from his parents.
His plan is to build two homes on the land, one for himself and the other for his brother.
But a planning application for the homes was refused by Scottish Borders Council on the grounds of over-development of the site.
And when members of SBC’s Local Review Body met on Monday, January 19, they narrowly upheld the refusal by five votes to four.
The appeal site is located at Milldown, a small rural community on the coast approximately one kilometre east of Coldingham.
It comprises of a small field with a gentle slope falling away from south to north.
The site stands adjacent to the existing dwelling Milldown Farmhouse and opposite Taobh na Mara and four existing homes.
Councillor Eric Small said: “I think if we had been looking at one house I would have been quite happy but the second house is going to be quite prominent on the coastline.
“This is a really busy tourist area for the beach and I think this is just cramming too much into one site and I think it would be more appropriate if it was just one.”
The appeal was refused despite support from committee chair Councillor Simon Mountford, who said he considered the proposed development was well-screened from the coastline, adding: “I’m not totally convinced that it would have an adverse impact and whether two plots would be over-development of that site.
“I don’t think they would jar with the sense of place.”
An SBC report refusing the application stated: “The proposed development would extend beyond the building group’s identifiable sense of place, to undeveloped sloping ground to the north.
“Whilst a single dwelling-house would be accepted on the flat part of the site, developing the sloping ground beyond would work against the grain of the site, requiring inappropriate under building, and giving rise to dominating visual effects as seen from the approach to the building group.
“Further, it has not been demonstrated that the site is capable of accommodating two sufficiently spaced dwelling houses and a robust mature tree belt which ties in with the existing trees nearby.”
A report in support of the review stated: “Adam Aitchison has inherited land on which the appeal site sits from his parents and has applied for consent for two new dwellings (one each for himself and his brother).
“The proposed development supports the sustainable growth of an existing rural community and will improve the housing choice in the local area. Milldown is a small existing community which comprises eleven existing dwellings in a rural area.
“The St Vedas surf shop stands circa 260 metres north of the site and can be reached in a walk of around three minutes.
“The café at Coldingham beach also stands just 350 metres walking distance from the site, taking around five minutes.
“It is considered that the Rural Revitalisation principle strongly applies to Milldown and Coldingham, especially the direction to support population growth.”
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