DVELOPERS have postponed a meeting about the future of March Street Mill due to take place on Friday.

Local residents and community groups were invited to the public consultation where they were to be informed of the refined plans for the Peebles mill site, following the public exhibition held in June and the findings of a survey that was circulated to residents the same month.

Moorbrook Textiles will now hold the public consultation on at the five-acre site on September 2 (between 1pm and 7pm) after which they intend to lodge a planning application to Scottish Borders Council.

The firm is proposing a mixed redevelopment of the site which would include primarily residential and retirement accommodation, some of which would be affordable housing.

Finance Director Andrew Menzies said: “Our initial intention had been to hold the second exhibition in mid-August but we believe the sensible approach is to set aside sufficient time to assimilate all the contributions we have received and, for that reason, the follow-up event will now be held on Friday, September 2.

“Our intention is to present updated proposals at the exhibition which will provide all parties with the opportunity to see refined options for the future of the March Street site.

“We have already had some discussions with the planning department at Scottish Borders Council and, following completion of the second exhibition and consideration of feedback, our intention is to lodge a formal planning application.

"Our initial exhibition was extremely useful in allowing us to discuss our proposals with a number of the interested parties from the local community and to gather feedback which will help shape our planning application.

“As well as the discussions held at the event and feedback we have received since then, we are in regular dialogue with representatives of Peebles Community Trust regarding some of the potential commercial and community uses for the site. We have also received additional useful input from Peebles Civic Society."

Peebles Community Trust are still fighting for the site to be retained for community use and Chairman David Pye has said that houses is the last thing Peebles needs.

For anyone who was unable to attend the original exhibition, the presentation materials can be accessed at www.marchstmill.co.uk. The site also includes a facility to provide feedback on the proposals.