A LANDOWNER near an historic site at Cardrona has lost his fight to keep up scaffolding and a sheet-metal fence.

Andrew Cleghorn, who has a history of planning disputes with Scottish Borders Council, appealed against a recent enforcement notice.

Local authority planners demanded the removal of scaffolding and metal sheets from land near to Kirkburn Church.

Mr Cleghorn took his case to the Planning Appeals division of the Scottish Government.

But this week, following deliberations and a site visit, reporter Stephen Hall has sided with the council.

In his findings he stated: "At my site inspection it was apparent that the scaffolding structure is large and prominent and has a utilitarian character out-of-keeping with the adjacent listed former church and the attractive rural and agricultural character of the area.

"The structure also has a significantly negative impact on the amenity of the occupants of the former church, whose views from

the upper north-west-facing windows will be partially obscured by scaffolding poles."

Mr Cleghorn claimed that the scaffolding was required to assist with an archaeological dig being undertaken ahead of a tourism-related development.

And he stated that the metal sheets were in place to stop cattle escaping from his field until an ongoing land dispute with a neighbour is settled.

But the arguments weren't accepted by the Reporter.

Mr Hall added: "It appears to me that the height and overall scale of the scaffolding structure is far greater than would ordinarily be required to shelter archaeological works.

"There was no evidence of any archaeological works ongoing or ever having been carried out at the time of my site visit, and yet the structure has apparently - according to the council’s evidence - been in place since at least July 2017.

"Turning to the fence, I accept the need to construct stock-proof fencing if the intention is to graze cattle in the appellant’s field.

"However it was not necessary to construct the fence out of solid metal sheets and poles, when alternative fencing solutions more appropriate to the rural character of the area are commonly available."

Mr Cleghorn's appeal was dismissed and removal notice, first issued last December, will legally have to be honoured within one month.