DEVELOPERS have tabled proposals for up to 45 properties in Peebles despite the site not being zoned for housing.

S Carmichael Properties want to build on a seven hectare site at Venlaw Hill.

The company submitted a Proposal of Application Notice last July.

And they held at public exhibition in the Burgh Hall during October to gauge opinion.

But they suffered a set back just a few weeks later when Venlaw wasn't included by planners as part of their proposed supplementary sites to meet a shortage of around 900 houses across the Borders.

A consultation of the identified supplementary sites is continuing until the end of this month.

The snub has led to doubts over any potential development of Venlaw.

This week a Planning Permission in Principal application was submitted with Scottish Borders Council.

Agent Andrew Bennie said: "Fundamental concerns exist as regards the manner in which the site has been assessed, with it being considered that the only means by which the residential development potential of the site can be independently assessed is through the promotion of a planning application."

The indicative housing figure provided on the PPP application is between 40 and 45.