DISABLED motorists in Peebles are concerned that they will lose their parking bays if plans are given the go-ahead for a housing development.

Scottish Borders Housing Association plans to build six two-bedroomed flats on Glensax Road.

Letters were sent out to tenants of the garages which are currently on the site to be developed.

When the plans were unveiled last year, Henry Cole, SBHA’s director of assets and property services said that whilst he appreciated that people would need to find alternative vehicle storage arrangements, the creation of affordable housing is of paramount importance.

He said that parking provision would be addressed in the planning application.

However, the plans have evoked concerns in residents with disabilities.

Community Councillor Les Turnbull explained: “The residents were very unhappy because many of them have disabled parking permits and they were going to lose the car parking.

“SBHA in consultation with planning officers have revisited the car parking facilities and they have put in more disabled bays, but they are on the other side of the car park which means there’s a fair old way for people to walk when they are disabled.

“This is still exercising the minds of some of the residents of Cleland Avenue, but it looks like the flats are probably going to be approved in the current location.”