Tuesday January 6th 2026
Riddleton Cottages at Maxon, near Melrose
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Approval has been granted for the demolition of five mid-19th century farm cottages deemed “uninhabitable and severely dilapidated”.
Planning permission has been approved by Scottish Borders Council to flatten 1-5 Riddletonhill Farm Cottages at Maxton, near Melrose.
The cottages were likely constructed in the mid-19th century, possibly around or after 1859.
The application was submitted by Susan Crighton of Mertoun Estate Farms Ltd at St Boswells.
In her report approving demolition, SBC’s lead planning officer Julie Hayward states: “The cottages are situated to the south east of Maxton and are accessed by a private road from the A699 Maxton to Kelso Road.
“The farm steading is some distance away to the north west, beyond the former railway. The cottages are traditional, one-and-three-storey with stone walls and slate roofs.
“They form a symmetrical terrace with pitched roof dormers and gables at each end on the front elevation. The photos submitted with the application indicate that the cottages have been abandoned and are in a state or disrepair, with the surrounding garden ground overgrown.
“The cottages are considered to be the type of building suitable for bats and breeding birds. A bat and bird survey report has been submitted.
“Bats were found within the building and locality; pigeon and swallow nests were observed and evidence of barn owls. A BLIMP licence and mitigation in the form of bat and barn owl boxes and demolition outwith the bird breeding season are recommended.”
A submission with the application describes the buildings as “uninhabitable and severely dilapidated”, adding: “The internal fixtures and fittings will be stripped and removed prior to mechanical demolition to allow separation of each material. Mechanical demolition will then begin on the structure whilst continuing to keep materials separated.
“Wood and metal will be recycled off-site while stone and rubble will be crushed on-site for use on the estate. Anything that cannot be recycled will be sent to landfill. The site will be cleared and reinstated for agricultural use.”
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