ACCUSATIONS of jumping the gun have been made against a property developer in Peebles.

Persimmon Homes will find out on Monday if it is allowed to erect 71 new houses on land at South Parks.

But opponents of the controversial development have hit out after earth works began last week.

Scottish Borders Council confirmed it had received enquiries about work starting 'prematurely' on the planned development site.

A spokesman said: “They have confirmed that they are undertaking some site investigation works to assess the underlying rock structure.

"We also understand that, once these works are complete, the trial pits will be backfilled.

“These works do not in themselves require planning permission and therefore there is no authority required from the council for them.”

Business owners nearby are also critical of representatives, believed to be from Persimmon, who they claim have been lobbying them to support the application – an accusation Persimmon denies.

One business owner said: “I just had Persimmon people in at work trying to get signatures for the go-ahead.

"I asked about Caledonian Road and their response was it was the council’s department and to speak to Scottish Borders Council.

"So they are clearly not interested in answering where the current residents of Caledonian Road would park their cars as most of them do not have driveways.

“The road is already a nightmare, they mentioned widening it and providing parking elsewhere but when I asked how they can widen a road when there is no way unless you are taking away a pavement they couldn’t answer.

“I asked about schools and doctors and their reply was that it will bring more trade to the local supermarkets.”

Another Peebles employee claimed that Persimmon had entered their workplace looking for support and for staff to sign a petition.

Convenor of Peebles Community Council’s planning sub-committee, Les Turnbull said: “It is surprising that such a large company is resorting to these tactics. Surely if they were confident that their proposals for South Parks were sound, then the application should stand on its own merits.

“That they are canvassing for support indicates that they are worried that the application might be refused.”

But Iain Innes, managing director at Persimmon Homes East Scotland, added: “As a reputable housebuilder we are respectful of the planning process and would not start work on site without planning consent.

“Investigatory work to clarify the position of rock was carried out on Monday. This is standard practice and does not require consent. The area has been filled and machinery was removed off-site following the work.

“I can also confirm that Persimmon Homes has not asked local businesses to sign a petition in support of our application.”

Peebles Community Council is urging locals to back campaigners against the proposals by attending the SBC planning meeting this Monday in Newton St Boswells.