Work set to get underway on new housing development in Lauder

Ally McGilvray • Published 20 Feb 2012 09:30 2 Comments

CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 12 new homes on the site of the former primary school in Lauder have been approved this week - despite local objections.

Eildon Housing Association applied to Scottish Borders Council for permission to develop the site, just off Croft's Road, last year.

And councillors on the local authority's planning committee voted in favour of the proposals at their meeting in Newtown St Boswells on Monday.

However, the council revealed it had received 40 letters of objection to the plans - which include the demolition of the old school building and construction of four blocks of three bedroomed houses in what has been describsed as a "courtyard arrangement".

They included concerns over road safety and fears that the development would be out of character with the surrounding area.

Local Councillor Nicholas Watson said: "It's good to see these plans (for affordable housing) coming forward." But he added: "I am not at all happy with the design. I'm sure we could have come up with something better."

The Leaderdale and Melrose Councillor claimed the development should have included a mixture of house types.

He also argued the "nasty-coloured" decorative timber cladding attached to the front and gable end of the buildings opposite Lauder Old Parish Church - which, he claimed, was one of the best churches in the Borders - added "no value".

And Tweeddale Councillor Gavin Logan agreed. He said: "It all looks very smart when it's new but it just gets shabier and shabier with time."

However, Councillor Ron Smith pointed out three-bedroomed houses were much in demand in the Borders.

And Councillor Neil Calvert, deputy leader of the council, added Eildon Housing Association has in the past won awards for its buildings designs.

Eildon Housing Association welcomed the council's decision this week and said work was set to start in October.

Chief Executive, Nile Istephan said: "I am delighted that planning approval has been granted to provide much needed affordable housing in Lauder. This is a sensitive town centre site and Eildon's architects have been careful to ensure that the designs reflect Lauder's local character.

"The development is comprised of 12 family houses, nine of which are for social rent and three for mid-market rent. Eildon has secured funding from the Scottish Government and Scottish Borders Council to allow this project to proceed.

"We hope to start on site with demolition in October 2012 with completion of the new homes due by March 2014. The £1.75m development will also help bring work and jobs to the construction industry which has suffered considerably from the economic downturn."

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This article appeared in Border Telegraph 20 Feb 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  jimtor
  6 posts
  Feb 20, 21:17
  Report comment

  I hope this development will make use of local people and services
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 0

• 

  wull
  Unregistered User
  Mar 1, 19:07
  Report comment

  The borders need houses urgently, its great to see that Eildon housing has the foresight to build some proper housing instead of flats that end up looking like a prison, namely gala park court or beech avenue in galashiels, keep up the good work Eildon...
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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