Published: Friday, 21st March, 2008 09:00
Developers get green light for Violet Bank
By Ally McGilvray
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CONTROVERSIAL plans to allow housing developers to build on land next to a sports field in Peebles were approved by councillors this week - despite local opposition.
Scottish Borders Council agreed to designate Violet Bank – a recreational area popular with hikers and dog walkers - as a housing site in the finalised local plan adopted by members yesterday (Thursday).
It is understood the land, which was originally earmarked for a new school, could accommodate up to 40 homes and now become the subject of planning applications before the end of the year.
However, the revised local plan - which includes the removal of Venlaw Hill as a possible site for housing - has still to be passed to Scottish Ministers for their final approval.
Speaking to the Peeblesshire News following a heated council meeting to debate the issue, local Councillor Catriona Bhatia – who admitted she was “disgusted” with the council’s decision - said: “I am delighted that Venlaw Hill been removed from the local plan.”
But she added: “We don’t need any additional housing land in Peebles and that is why I asked members to also remove Violet Bank.”
The councillor for Tweeddale West put forward a motion to exclude the area as a housing site from the plan, and was supported by Councillor Graham Garvie (Tweeddale East), but lost 18-6 when it was put to the vote.
With work already underway at two new housing sites in the area – Glen Crescent, which can accommodate up to 50 houses, and Whitehaugh, which can accommodate up to 214 homes - she argued that the local community wanted to keep the area as a green space and warned any further development would put pressure on local schools and other public services in Peebles.
However, council leader David Parker – who was supported by Tweeddale West councillor Willie Archibald - pointed out there were contentious sites in every town and claimed throwing out the site could put the whole local plan in jeopardy.
Councillor Bhatia added: “I am deeply disappointed that they voted to keep Violet Bank in the local plan and I am disgusted that Tweeddale member Willie Archibald agreed with them.”
Meanwhile, councillors agreed to rule out housing at a site in West Linton’s Deanfoot Road and retain it for business use in a bid to attract new jobs to the area.
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