AN award winning housing developer has acquired the Caerlee Mill site in Innerleithen.

And bosses of Whiteburn Projects are seeking suggestions for the future use of the 240-year-old B-listed Brodie's Mill and other listed buildings on the site.

The company, who won Small Private Development of the Year at this year’s Homes for Scotland Awards, are aiming to table detailed plans for housing on the site over the coming months.

Whiteburn’s Project director Eve McCurrich said: "Our key objective is to bring this historic site in the heart of the village of Innerleithen back to life and create a great place for people to live.

“This is a great opportunity to combine our award-winning skills in residential development with our proven sensitive approach to revitalising and repurposing listed historic and post-industrial buildings.

“We’re at the start of a very exciting process for Caerlee Mill, and I’d be happy to hear from anyone who has sound ideas for the listed buildings which are retained within the site.

“We’re really keen to engage with the local community and my door is open for suggestions that we can consider at this early stage of our proposals for the site."

Textiles production finally ceased at the historic mills almost five years ago.

Previous attempts have been made to create a mixed-use development on the site, which was to include a hotel and micro-brewery, as well as housing.

And Innerleithen Civic Trust has also expressed an interest in preserving the heritage of the remaining buildings.

Although the site already has planning permission in principle no detailed proposals have yet reached the submission stage.

Whiteburn Projects this week confirmed they plan to build a range of two, three and four bedroom houses to reflect the spirit of the former mill site as well as the heritage of Innerleithen.

And the new-build houses will be released for sale on the open market.

Roger Bainbridge, who is responsible for design and delivery with Whiteburn, added: "With our Caerlee Mill project we hope to show that new-build housing can be designed and delivered with consideration for the heritage of the site at the heart of our proposals.

“We want to collaborate with Scottish Borders Council to deliver an award-winning development that puts Innerleithen on the property map as an incredible place to live, and it is our aim to offer desirable homes where people want to live, in a place where they will be proud to contribute to its future legacy.”

Whiteburn Projects have a track record for the regeneration of historic and post-industrial sites and buildings across Scotland.

They pioneered Scotland’s first genuine residential lofts development in a pair of bonded warehouses in Leith and in 2014 completed the hotel-led mixed use SoCo development in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Whiteburn have also completed the comprehensive refurbishment of the former RBS HQ at West George St in Glasgow.