AMBITIOUS plans to create a major holiday complex near West Linton have been rejected by the village’s community council for a second time.

The project, by Nottinghamshire-based Sandy Lane Resort Rutherford Ltd, was originally submitted to planners in 2018.

But it faced opposition and following discussions with Scottish Borders Council (SBC) a revised bid was filed which includes 100 holiday lodges, 10 tree lodges, 10 cabins/pods and 30 glamping pods.

On Monday evening, West Linton Community Council (WLCC) heard a raft of reasons asking planners to throw out the scheme.

A nine-page letter, drafted by WLCC planning specialist Tim Brian, will be sent to SBC ahead of its meeting where the application will be considered.

Mr Brian’s report stated: “These comments by WLCC have been informed by a public meeting held on May 15, attended by more than 100 people.

“The meeting was addressed by the applicant and his agent, and by the objection group, and included a question and answer session with members of the public.

“We have also taken account of the documents on SBC’s planning portal, notably the revised proposals, consultation replies and representations from members of the public, and have walked around the site.

“WLCC confirmed by letter dated September 10, 2020 that it did not support the original application.”

Concerns were raised over potential flood risk, the need for a holiday park in the location, landscape and visual impact, and traffic, among others.

Mr Brian’s concluding statement said: “The proposed development, which is unsustainable and would erode the attractive countryside break between Carlops and West Linton, should be refused due to its adverse landscape and visual impact and its detrimental impacts on: recreation, wildlife and habitats; neighbouring housing; traffic congestion; and local services and infrastructure.”

As well as the holiday accommodation, the site would have a nine-hole golf course and a refurbished clubhouse with two new buildings.

A restaurant, a daytime café, spa facilities, a gym and a convenience shop are included in the plans.

Large areas of parkland and open space would be retained, as well as the creation of a purpose-built lakes to help with drainage.

A supporting statement filed with the planning bid said: “The proposal for creation of a new holiday park destination at Rutherford Castle is an exciting project that will provide high quality visitor accommodation, with a range of accommodation types and appropriate level of supporting facilities in a location already established as suitable for major tourism development in the Scottish Borders countryside.

“Inclusion of the leisure, food and retail elements within the scheme, combined with the retention of a golf course facility and further opportunity for outdoor recreation within and nearby the site, will make this an attractive visitor accommodation destination, thus increasing the number of visitors staying overnight in the Scottish Borders.

“Part of the attraction of such a destination is the rural location and the availability of natural open spaces within the site for informal recreation. It therefore requires a location out with the defined development boundary which is justified by the significant socio-economic benefits delivered by the proposal.

“The site is able to absorb a development of this scale without causing unacceptable harm to visual or local amenity.”