Monday May 18th 2026
Gabian Baskets at Galshiels
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Go-ahead has been granted for controversial stone-filled baskets originally installed without planning approval at a watercourse in Galashiels.
An enforcement notice was served on the developer to remove the baskets in the lade behind 68 King Street.
The developer appealed against the notice and the Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division upheld the appeal in June last year.
Now a renewed planning bid from applicant Clark Durnion, of Clovenfords, has been approved by Scottish Borders Council.
Go-ahead has been granted despite concerns that the the proposed design fails to protect the waterproof lining of the lade and that the gabions have the potential to restrict water flow.
Among the objectors to the baskets were Galashiels Mill Lade Committee and Gala Waterways Group.
One objector stated: “Siting anything within the confines of the lade has the potential to restrict water flow.
“In the short term this poses a risk to the flood protection measures for Galashiels and in the long term it may well hamper any plans for the future use of the lade for such things as renewable energy.”
The applicant’s counter-argument was that the gabion baskets support the mill lade banking which has collapsed due to erosion caused by severe blockages hindering flow further along the lade.
In his report approving the application, Carlos Clarke, SBC’s lead planning officer, states: “The gabions will reduce the potential for erosion along the affected section of the lade banking, and that will be of benefit to the integrity of the lade overall.
“While the potential for the lade to be used for renewable energy purposes is appreciated, there is no specific scheme in place, so the significance of that potential as a material consideration is not determinative.”
Tweet Share on FacebookNews
