Peeblesshire News | News | 'Heart will be ripped out of community'

Thursday, 4th December, 2008

Published: Tuesday, 19th September, 2006 16:09

'Heart will be ripped out of community'

By David Knox and Hannah Jefferson

Print Article

A PICTURESQUE Peeblesshire estate is in the process of being bought by a development firm.

And worried tenants fear they could soon be out of a home.

Glenormiston Estate, near Innerleithen, was put on the market earlier this year by the Hogg family.

The romantic 767-acre estate dates back more than 500 years – and amongst its former lairds is famed publisher William Chambers.

Through the centuries part of the working estate’s sale price has always included red roses to be paid to the reigning monarch.

But traditions and customs could soon be ditched as developers Glenormiston Ltd become monarchs of the glen later this year.

Planning applications have already been submitted for 14 properties.

And Glenormiston’s current rural residents fear this could just be the start.

One, who we agreed not to name, told the Peeblesshire News: “This really is our worst case scenario coming true. It is a very depressing situation at Glenormiston.

“The first some of the tenants knew about what was going on was when an estate agent turned up to value their home. Some have been told they will only be given three months notice to move out.

“We are all being kept in the dark.

“It seems these people want to rip the heart out of the Glenormiston community, and just make as much money as they can.”

No notice has yet been served on any of the eight tenants, some who have lived on the estate for almost twenty years.

But local community leaders believe the buyers have already set out their stall by tabling two planning applications.

Glenormiston Ltd wants to turn the estate’s steading buildings into eight houses.

And the company also wants to build six new detached properties – two close to the Velvet Hall junction with the A72 and four close to the steading area.

Ross McGinn, chairman of Innerleithen Community Council, said: “People already fear that they could soon be looking at another Cardrona

“This is a lovely part of our countryside, and personally I am worried that my grandchildren are not going to see green fields around Innerleithen.

“It is unlikely that these planning proposals will be dismissed outright, and this could just be the start.”

Glenormiston Estate was put up for sale, at a price of around £3 million, at the start of the year. The Hogg family, who have owned it for over 25 years, have yet to move out.

But the selling agents Smiths Gore confirmed that a deal had been reached and the sale process had started.

The Peeblesshire News was unable to contact the two local businessmen who are trading as Glenormiston Ltd before going to press.

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