Published: Friday, 7th August, 2009 12:18pm

SBC's plans for Peebles landmark slammed

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A ROW has broken out regarding one of Peebles most iconic landmarks.

The dispute stems from Scottish Borders Council's recently submitted plans for the Chambers Institution on the town's High Street.

SBC's Listed Building and Planning Consent application proposes alterations to the ground floor, combining an open plan area to be shared by the Council's Contact Centre and Visit Scotland and includes a proposal that a large part of the space be made available to the Citizens Advice Bureau.

However various groups within the town such as the Peebles Forum and Peebles Civic Society have concerns regarding the effect of proposals on present services within the buildings such as the museum, Burgh Hall and library.

The Chambers Institution was gifted to the people and town of Peebles in 1859 by the feted publisher William Chambers.

Only recently celebrations were held to mark the institution's 150th anniversary

In his bequest, William Chambers stated its primary purpose was to provide for the educational needs of the community.

Provision was also made for parts of the building to be made available for rent, but only provided that these were surplus to its principal purposes namely the museum, hall, library and art gallery.

Chairman of the Peebles Forum, Ronald Ireland, believes that what SBC have planned is ill-conceived and more geared to meeting the administrative needs of Scottish Borders Council rather than those of the community.

He said: "The present proposals are being made in the absence of proper consideration of the future improvement and development of the library, museum, art gallery and Burgh Hall.

"There must be the possibility that these alterations may be prejudicial to any plans for the improvement and development of those primary facilities. In lodging the current planning application the Council is starting from the wrong end.

"The library has been identified as the poorest in the Borders in respect of its facilities, while the Burgh Hall is certainly not a credit to the burgh and the museum is restricted by lack of space and modern facilities.

"The present facilities need to be brought up to a modern standard before SBC's needs are addressed.

"What we are calling for is a public consultation on the matter and a comprehensive feasibility study to be carried out into the future of the buildings and facilities of the Chambers Institution."

A letter stating these views has also been sent to SBC Chief Executive David Hume.

All objections to planning applications will be fully considered by SBC and planning cheifs will rule on the application later in the year.