PLANS to build a new housing estate on the foot of the Eildons has been heavily criticised at a meeting of Melrose Community Council.

Rural Renaissance, the contracting arm of Melrose-based JS Crawford property developers, submitted plans to Scottish Borders Council to build 26 homes on The Croft, near Dingleton Road, Melrose two weeks ago.

The plans, drawn up by Glasgow-based Hypostyle Architects, are for 19 three-bedroom and seven four-bedroom homes, of which four are bungalows and the rest are two-storey houses.

The development, if approved, will circle around the existing nursery building there.

The application states: “The approach to development will be sympathetic to the local area in terms of density, scale and massing; being consistent with local planning policy to create a development that contributes to the local environmental quality.

“The proposals respond to the anticipated needs and aspirations of the future residents and provide a design solution of high quality and adaptability within the context of its unique setting.”

But on Wednesday, around 30 members of the ‘Don’t Build on the Eildons’ campaign group descended on the town council to voice their objections, which include concerns over traffic, impact on the landscape and increased on local schools and services.

Speaking at the meeting, Carrie Henderson, who runs the campaign’s Facebook page alongside her partner Greg Simpson, told councillors: “As of this evening, 66 people have submitted objections to the council over plans to build a housing estate on the Croft. There were no submissions in support of the application from members of the public.

“The vast majority of people who have responded to the council’s consultation have expressed their surprise, disappointment and outrage at the very idea the Croft is a suitable site for development, lying as close as it does to the foothills of the EIldons.

“The view of the Eildon hills over Melrose is an iconic one, not only in the Borders but across Scotland. The hills are as much a part of the town as the rugby club and the Abbey.”

Chief among the group’s objections is that the site is listed as part of Scottish Borders Council’s development plan.

It was added to the plan in 2006, but objectors say that Melrose has changed beyond recognition and traffic problems and pressures on local amenities mean the site is no longer suitable.

Furthermore, the group claims that allowing building on the south side of Dingleton Road will inevitably lead to more developments in the area.

Carrie continued: “We have every reason to be glad of the stunning scenery of the Eildons. It is a jewel in the crown of the Borders landscape.

“We should be actively looking for ways to celebrate what is a precious and historic site, and securing it for future generations to enjoy.

“Instead the very opposite is happening and the council is asking us to accept the building of a generic, characterless housing estate on its lower slopes.

“It will inevitably set a precedent for building on the south side of Dingleton Road. It will make future development both likely and more difficult to argue against.

“We do need to think about what is best for the town, and that can often lead to difficult decisions having to be swallowed.

“But I would ask you to consider whether the town, and its inhabitants, would benefit more from the future of the nursery being secured and the site being kept as greenspace to be enjoyed by visitors and residents alike, or the alternative: the Croft being turned into yet another anonymous housing estate.”

Carrie’s statement was met with rapturous applause, and with no representative from the developer present, the floor was opened to other objectors.

Dingleton Road resident Quin Dunlop said: “I would like to emphasise about the traffic. It is a nightmare getting in and out of our property.

“We have to either get my wife to stand in the road to get traffic to stop and let us out, or wait until we can see someone coming down the hill so we know that someone can’t be coming up it.

“The number of cars which do not belong to Dingleton Road residents is large.

“I oppose this development strongly because of the traffic problems.”

Local resident John Henderson said that heavy lorries using the road will be a safety hazard: “There are issues around land moving as well. The amount of landscaping works needed will be astronomical.

“Dingleton Road is an area waiting for a very serious accident to happen. Cars have mounted the pavement because of others coming down the road and having to take evasive action.

“There is nothing at all in the plans saying what will happen there. We need to look at these things before approval is given.”

The application is set to go before Scottish Borders Council’s planning and building standards committee, but won’t be heard by councillors until at least January 2019.