A BID to build 30 new homes on land beneath Peebles Hydro is being recommended for approval by Scottish Borders Council’s planning department.

The full application for developing the 1.16 hectare site next to the A72 will go before the local authority’s planning committee on Monday.

Officers believe the application, which has been revised since first being submitted in February, should be approved.

The pension fund behind the bid initially wanted to erect 13 houses and 21 apartments on the site which currently houses the Hydro’s pitch and putt golf course.

A revised application, which saw the number of flats reduced to 17 as well as removing the upper bay windows from the apartment blocks, has met with approval from the planning department.

Principal Planning Officer Craig Miller said: “In terms of the loss of open space to the visual characteristics of the approach to Peebles, the amenity of the Conservation Area and the setting of the listed building, the existing characteristics and views of the site must be taken into account.

“Firstly, the site has been largely concealed behind an untidy conifer hedge for many years.

“Although the higher parts of the site can clearly be seen from Whitestone Park, there are woodland belts either side of the former railway line which form the northern boundary of the site and which provide foreground interruption to the overall view and appreciation of the Hydro Hotel.” The entire site sits within the Peebles Conservation Area.

Both Peebles Civic Society and the town’s Community Council opposed the plans. And a further seven objections were tabled.

But none of the other statutory consultees raised concerns.

Mr Miller added: “Some concern has also been expressed regarding the precedent of further development within the grounds of the Hydro Hotel but this would have to be addressed against prevailing policies at that time, taking into account all the constraints identified in the processing of this application and including the impacts on, and preservation of, the setting of listed buildings and existing trees within the site.

“Issues of appropriate housing mix for the local market and the demand for the houses are not determining factors in the case of an infill site which complies withDevelopment Plan policies and which, in any case, presents a mix of accommodation types which respect the surrounding constraints of the site.” Members of Scottish Borders Council’s planning committee will discuss the application on Monday morning.