THE end of a long-running eyesore is in sight after work began to build affordable homes at a gap site at Innerleithen.

But one of the main campaigners for restoring the area boycotted the sod-cutting cermony in protest after claiming that no townsfolk had been invited to take part.

Tweeddale East councillor Gavin Logan described the development as a “great boost” for the town but was annoyed that members of the community were not among the principals at Tuesday’s event.

He also hit out at the council’s decision to lay on refreshments after the sod-cutting.

Councillor Logan told the Peeblesshire News: “I am strongly of the view that the principals at this event should be Innerleithen residents, not councillors none of whom live in the town.

“It is important to recognise the fact that the Innerleithen community has had to endure the sight of this eyesore in their High Street for well over 20 years.

“Nevertheless this is a great boost for the town after the disappointment of the sidelining of the AimUp initiative. Council officers must be congratulated for putting together a viable package against all the odds which finally got this project off the ground.” He added: “In the scheme of things the cost of this event and the subsequent refreshments will be marginal.

“However in my view it sends out completely the wrong message at a time when council budgets are under so much pressure.” Ross McGinn, the chairman of Innerleithen Civic Trust, said: “I think Gavin is not strictly correct as I was invited a few weeks ago and two members of Innerleithen Community Council were present. We certainly enjoyed our tea and scones!

“I can understand though what Gavin’s gripe was.

“He’s been the main mover behind getting something done about this and like him I’m not sure that this ceremony was necessary.

“We have had a lot of false dawns in the past and he would rather they just got on with it, rather than make a big fanfare about it.

“But this is welcome news for the community - we’ve need this sorted out for a long time.

“The gap has been there since before my daughter was born and she is 25.

“There’s been a number of applications for housing and retail units but they’ve all fallen through and then when the recession came it was hard to get anyone showing any interest.

“Hopefully this will all come together now and it’ll be really nice - and will make the centre of our town a more lively place.

“But the proof of the pudding is in the eating - let’s hope we are celebrating in a year’s time when the houses are completed.” Councillor Frances Renton, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for social work and housing, Tweeddale East councillors Stuart Bell and Graham Garvie were joined by representatives of the Scottish Government, Scottish Futures Trust and developer Waverley Tweed for the sod-cutting.

Three one-bedroom affordable homes will be provided and Waverley Tweed agreed at the end of last year for Scottish Borders Council to acquire them.

In addition there will be a further six two-bedroom properties at the developer’s adjacent Waverley Road site, where work is also due to start imminently.