HORSBURGH has emerged as an early frontrunner as councillors attempt to salvage the Peebles 3G pitch project.

Members of the ruling Executive at Scottish Borders Council this week agreed to scrap a previous bid to build the £1.7 million all-weather facility in Victoria Park.

They also agreed to commission a fresh report on conducting a new consultation to find an alternative venue.

Previous attempts to find a suitable location led to Victoria Park being considered the 'least worst choice'.

But a backlash of objections led to a 1700-signature petition being tabled against any development, as well as the formation of an action group and the threat of a legal blockade.

Services director Rob Dickson told this week's Executive meeting: "Since its inception there have been significant issues in identifying a suitable site for a full-size, synthetic 3G pitch in Peebles.

"In total 24 different sites across the town have been considered and examined in detail with the current preferred site agreed by Executive as being the site at Victoria Park.

"There continues to be significant public interest, both positive and negative, in the planning application for the new pitch at Victoria Park and difficulties faced by Tweeddale councillors in respect of this issue.

"Local councillors have concluded that the planning application for the pitch at Victoria Park should be withdrawn, in order to allow alternative sites to be investigated further and to provide adequate time for the Tweeddale councillors to consult with the wider community of Peebles."

A full paper on how the consultation exercise will be conducted is expected to be tabled at next month's Executive meeting.

The Gytes, the High School and land at Craigerne Lane were all ruled out during the previous exercise.

Support for an out-of-town site near Horsburgh straight is already winning support.

Councillor Willie Archibald told us: "It may come that we need to look outwith Peebles for a suitable site.

"Horsburgh has been mention by other councillors and it would make sense as there is a lot of Forestry Commission land around there.

"There will be a consultation process and it is our job to listen to what the people of Peebles and the wider area think before any decisions are made.

"We don't want a repeat of the Victoria Park scenario."

A meeting between Peebles Rovers and the six councillors who represent Tweeddale will also be held in the coming months as attempts are made to salvage the project.