Tuesday March 24th 2026
Neighbouring West Grove apartments
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Former Scottish Water offices in Melrose are poised for conversion to a new seven home development – despite claims from neighbours of being ‘misled’.
An application has been submitted to Scottish Borders Council by Rural Renaissance for the change of use of 1 To 7 West Grove in Waverley Road to form five houses and two flats, with 15 car parking spaces.
The original proposal was for six houses and two flats, but following negotiations with council planning officers the proposal was reduced.
Back in 2017 the building had received never-enacted upon planning approval for conversion to a gym and spa club.
Some residents living in the neighbouring West Grove Apartments are among 16 objections to the new housing bid.
One objector said: “The change of function of the gym/spa to residential units could also be viewed as a misrepresentation.
“We, and several other owners bought our apartments at West Grove because a gym/spa was promised and this was an inducement for us to buy our properties.
“We have been told lies by the developer and would not have purchased if the intentions of the developer had been made clear to us.”
Further concerns centre on the housing bid representing over-development, of poor pedestrian access, loss of privacy and a lack of parking.
But when members of Scottish Borders Council’s Planning and Building Standards Committee meet next week they will be recommended to give the development the green light.
A report to the committee states: “The site is within a residential area of the town and so the proposal would be in keeping with surrounding uses.
“The building has been vacant for several years and the proposed conversion would bring an otherwise redundant building back into use.
“The site previously benefited from planning permission to alter, extend and convert the building into a gym but this has now lapsed.
“Concern has been expressed in representations that the proposal would constitute over-development of the site and would have an uncomfortable relationship with the apartment building, due to the height and proximity of the existing building.
“However, a building of similar proportions, albeit a different end use, was previously agreed on this site so the relationship between properties is agreeable.”
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