Sunday March 1st 2026
Scott Park, Galashiels
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A landmark building at the entrance to a Borders park sold last year for almost double the asking price is set to be “fenced off” – to provide privacy for its new occupants.
The former lodge house to Gala House at Scott Park was previously owned by Scottish Borders Council.
When the property was put up for sale last year it attracted a lot of interest.
It was sold for 90 per cent more than the asking price of £70,000 and is now to become a family home.
An application has been submitted to SBC for the erection of a 1.8 metres high boarded fence at the curtilage of a category C listed building, incorporating vehicle gates, and to the rear of the lodge house incorporating a pedestrian gate.
The bid also calls for a garden shed to the rear of the house in the private garden area and a timber garage with mono pitch roof.
The property is on a busy route that bypasses the town centre.
The aim is allow privacy for the new occupants of the property.
In his report in support of the application, planning consultant Peter MacLeod states: “There is no demolition proposed, and no direct alterations to the listed building.
“All fencing will be self-supporting, and will not require fixing to the buildings or adjacent walls.
“The lodge house has been sold for residential use, and the applicant intends to use it as a family dwelling house.
“The garden at present has no enclosure that grants any privacy to the future occupants.
“It is located on a busy through route and is adjacent to a popular public park and a major route into Galashiels Academy. There is a very high level of need to protect the private garden area of the house.
“It is therefore proposed to introduce a high-quality timber fence to the rear of the property. Also, it is intended to erect fencing in line with the gable elevations of the house.
“Also, to prevent short-cutting across the front of the property, and the garden ground in that area, a lower one-metre-high fence is proposed. It will be the same style.
“The fact that it is to be used as a family dwelling means that some allowance must be given to allow it to be used in such a way as to not overly restrict then ability of the occupants to make it a private and secure place to live, and also to provide a degree of defensive barrier against the large number of people, particularly high school pupils passing the property.”
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