STOW Community Trust is vying to pave over a set of disused sheep pens to form a car park for the railway station. 

The community trust has working to redevelop Station House, which sits along the Tweedbank-Edinburgh line at Stow, since 2013, and has recently appointed Edinburgh-based Aitken Turnbull Architects to the project.

Following consultation, the trust decided to develop the building into a bar/bistro, a cycle business, an art studio and an exhibition space.

However, according to a planning statement, Stow Community Trust has now realised that the redevelopment will increase parking pressures in Stow and so has sought out new parking in the village. 

The land, which sits on the junction of Wedale Road and Station Road, currently contains disused sheep pens surrounded by wooden fencing.

The statement, submitted by Aitken Turnbull, reads: “Stow Community Trust is a community based, not for profit organisation, made up of local people keen to see development of assets in the village and surrounding area for the common good. 

“The work of the trust is primarily project based and involves close partnerships with other community organisations and statutory groups. 

“Over the years, there have been a number of projects and the trust prides itself on being flexible and forward thinking so that Stow and the surrounding area can be ready for whatever the future holds. 

“Stow Community Trust is aware that the new facility at the station will increase parking pressures in this area of the village and has agreed with a local farmer and landowner to lease a small area of ground which was formerly used as sheep pens, which are now redundant, and to turn the area into informal, unadopted parking.

“This is perfectly situated for the new station and new bistro and will be able to be used by local residents, rail users and customers at peak times. 

“The intention is that a light touch is used with the construction. Existing ground will be overlaid with a porous reinforcement layer and gravel so as to not impact on the root protection area of the adjacent mature trees, which will be retained.

“A fence will bound the rear of the parking area to protect the trees from vehicles when parking.

“Overall the new parking will be of great benefit to the local and wider community.”