Published: Friday, 29th January, 2010 12:05pm

Innerleithen's missing link to be filled

by David O'Leary

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The gap site on Innerleithen High Street

INNERLEITHEN could be about to get rid of its long-running High Street eyesore.

This week Scottish Borders Council approved funding for a study by Eildon Housing Association into the feasibility of constructing affordable homes at the glaring gap site.

The boarded-up space has been the subject of much derision in the town as it has stood empty now for almost 20 years.

On Tuesday councillors approved £3000 by way of a non refundable grant from the Council's Affordable Housing Investment Budget for Eildon to commission the study.

However, the revelation was greeted warily by Innerleithen Community Council chairman Ross McGinn, who has seen numerous false dawns regarding the site over the years.

He said: "This is, of course, a positive step forward for Innerleithen and the town needs it at the moment. But there have been numerous studies completed on the site over the past 20 years and it's still the same.

"Hopefully this time action will be taken and something good will arise from it because we badly need investment of any kind. The loss of the mill has hit the town hard and we need to attract investment, and having an eyesore like the gap site on our High Street doesn't help this."

Councillor Catriona Bhatia said: "The gap site has been an eyesore for a long time now and it doesn't reflect well on the town. This proposal was passed without any hassle because we all realise the need to support Innerleithen even more now."