Tuesday March 10th 2026
Sketch of proposed site
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A farming business hopes a bid to locate a ‘coffee stop’ on the Scotland/England border which fell flat with planners will be approved on appeal next week.
Jedburgh-based Wooplaw Farm Limited was refused planning approval by Scottish Borders Council for provision of container and trailer coffee outlets on either side of the A68 Trunk Road at the Carter Bar lay-bys.
Refusal came despite neighbouring Northumberland County Council offering no objections.
It was deemed the proposal would be detrimental to traders in Jedburgh and have an adverse impact on the “vitality and viability” of the town centre.
A converted shipping container was to have been located in woodland on the west lay-by, with hard-standing picnic tables, a composting toilet and bins.
When members of SBC’s Local Review Body meet on Monday, March 16, they will be asked to overturn refusal.
A report with the appeal states: “The applicant believes that this is a simple, modest, and appropriately scaled development with economic potential, and benefit, to both the existing farming business and the community through the support of tourism policy objectives.
“There is not a single consultee that objects to the scheme. All queries and comments have been addressed by the final proposals.
“The neighbouring authority of Northumberland County Council and Northumberland National Park also have no objections and set out how the application could be approved.
“The development will also contribute to the local economy both in helping an existing rural business diversify and by providing local employment and locally resourced food and drinks, but also by sign posting and promoting the region to other Scottish Borders business too.
“It is the intention to include advertising space or stock pamphlets for Jedburgh town centre businesses, thus bringing them to the attention of visitors entering Scotland. This is especially important because Jedburgh tourism office has been closed.
“Container Cafés are the most popular shipping container conversions conducted by a specialist team for use as a food and drinks serving unit.
“More importantly however, Wooplaw Farm developing a coffee stop on the Scotland and England border will support the farm operation, provide employment opportunities in the area, and a space for other local businesses to sell their produce.”
In his report refusing the application, Euan Calvert, SBC assistant planning officer, stated: “The plan proposes that tourist numbers could total between 42 and 125 during the weekdays and between 83 and 167 on the weekend.
“The business plan uses figures derived from road traffic counts. The proposal is for food and hot drinks to be sold.
“The supporting statement cites this as being an impressive first experience of Scotland, which will double as a tourist information point for Jedburgh businesses and beyond.
“There are two issues identified with the business plan. There is no evidence presented of the applicant having ever been involved in running a tourist business.
“Secondly, the business plan does not account for seasonality of tourists. The consequence accepting this proposal may be an unviable business being established in an isolated and inappropriate location.
“It is maintained that provision of further visitor facilities at the Carter Bar is liable to have a significant adverse effect on the vitality and viability of the town centre and those businesses south of the Border.
“Snack bars are temporary development, which are best located in the trunk road boundary and managed by the Trunk Road Authority, who could then control the scale of development and the corresponding impacts in terms of waste, litter and road safety.
“Even at this reduced scale, it is considered that the permanence of development would be detrimental to the vitality and viability of neighbouring centres.
“The proposals represent a development which would cater predominantly to tourism visitors who are entering the country.”
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