Campaigners applaud council's decision to reject Whitmuir bid
Ally McGilvray • Published 18 Oct 2011 08:57
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COMMUNITY councillors this week confirmed their objection to plans to build 28 holiday chalets next to a Site of Special Scientific Interest in the Borders.
The Royal Burgh of Selkirk and District Community Council discussed the proposals for Whitmuir Hall, submitted by Ayrshire-based businessman Alan Williams, at their meeting in the town's Victoria Halls on Monday night.
They heard concerns over potential sewage and drainage problems, and increased traffic on the A699 road, as well as fears it would adversely affect wildlife such as badgers, bats and newts.
Ian King, the community council's planning spokesman, said: "Clearly this application polarises local opinion. I have had calls in both support and against the application." But he added: "As far as the community council is concerned this development appears excessive and too demanding for this site."
The meeting, which heard VisitScotland had withdrawn its initial support for the application, was watched by more than a dozen local residents who stood up and applauded the community council's decision to object to the plans.
Speaking to the Border Telegraph after the meeting, Dr Donald Francis said: "Mr King went through a very thorough review of the planning application, including two site visits, so I think his assessment of it is very fair. And I think that we feel as residents within the Selkirk community we were represented well today.
"I understand that Scottish Borders Council will probably go through as long and as fair a process and if they do and come to the same conclusion then we will be very happy."
But, when asked what would happen if the local authority did not support the community council's recommendation, he added: "We will have to cross that bridge when we come to it. There is no doubt a development of that size would effectively create a village the size of Midlem five metres from an SSSI and one of the most important hydrosere in Scotland and it would have an impact on the small and close-knit, vibrant community that we have."
Meanwhile, the community council, who have renewed their objection to Broadmeadows windfarm after hearing it had gone to appeal, voiced their support for plans to build a new conference centre at the Philipburn House Hotel in Selkirk. Mr King said: "It doesn't look particularly pretty but either does the mish mash of buildings that constitutes Philipburn House Hotel." And he added: "They (the applicants) are investing a lot of money in it."
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 18 Oct 11
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