CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a new Scout hall in Peebles have been on display.

The local Scout group held a public exhibition in the town's Burgh Hall on two Saturdays ago.

They have already submitted a full planning application to Scottish Borders Council for permission to build the new hall in Dean Park to replace their current facilties which they say are not fit for the 21st Century.

And a decision is expected before the end of the year.

The Scout group have already raised almost half of the �150,000 needed for the project.

However, there have been objections to the plans from Peebles Civic Society who claim the new building would be out of character with the surrounding area.

Alan Crone, a member of Peebles Scout group, revealed he hoped the scale model shown at the exhibition would help convince any doubters to support the project.

He said: "People haven't initially agreed with the plans because it's such a modern looking building. But we've made changes, added new windows (to the plans), altered the size and a lot of other things to appease the initial protesters."

For more on the Peebles Scout hall story, turn to Letters Extra on page 18.