Wednesday January 14th 2026
The proposed homes
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Two brothers’ hopes of living side-by-side on farmland in Berwickshire will come under scrutiny next week.
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.
When members of SBC’s Local Review Body meet on Monday, January 19, they will be asked to overturn that refusal.
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.
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 states: “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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