DEVELOPERS believe there is scope for a further 200 houses on the south side of Peebles without the need for a second bridge.

Plans for a 21 hectare site off Kingsmeadows Road were unveiled last month at a public exhibition in the town.

Despite concerns over capacity for further traffic on the Tweed Bridge, agents for developers AWG and Taylor Wimpey believe there is room for more vehicles.

And a study they commissioned has backed their claims.

A spokesman for agents Barton Willmore stated: "We have carried out preliminary analysis of traffic flows on the Tweed Bridge crossing and assessed its capacity based on its size and designation.

"In addition, we have estimated the private vehicle trips that the new development will generate, based on published data.

"Existing traffic and additional traffic generated as a result of the proposed development will not significantly increase the vehicular traffic using the bridge and it will remain well below its capacity."

This week a scoping request was issued with Scottish Borders Council for guidance ahead of a full planning application being submitted.

The developers hope to erect up to 200 houses on the site between the B7062 and Haystoun Burn.

The spokesman added: "The site is flat and given the suitable ground conditions of the adjacent Kingsmeadow site, developed by Taylor Wimpey, it is considered that ground conditions are equally suitable for development of this site."

The majority of the proposed development site has been identified for housing in the Local Plan.

But local councillor Stuart Bell isn't convinced about the bridge claims.

He said: "The developers have concluded that there is sufficient capacity - the public of Peebles and, indeed, myself will require proof of this claim.

"A second bridge for Peebles is included in capital plans for the future but there seems to be a flurry of intent to provide new housing in Peebles just now."

Previous studies commissioned by the local authority have predicted Tweed Bridge will reach its capacity of 1250 vehicles per hour by the end of this decade.

The most recent study, in 2011, showed traffic was peaking then at around 970 vehicles per hour.

Scottish Borders Council has already approved £18.3 million of capital investment for a second bridge with construction due to begin in 2022/23 and being completed the following year.

A Scottish Borders Council spokesman stated: “There is a future requirement to provide a new bridge in Peebles to support the housing developments proposed in the draft Development Plan."