COMMUNITY leaders in Peebles have said they will fight fresh plans for housing on Venlaw hill.

Housing developers Carmichael Homes are refusing to give up on their controversial bid to build 22 houses on the site.

An application to develop the green-field site was first submitted in 2008 but later withdrawn due to strong local opposition.

A further outline bid to build on the slopes was knocked back by Scottish Borders Council in 2017.

The developer appealed this decision but it was rejected by the Scottish Government.

New plans will be revealed at a public drop-in event at the Burgh Hall next week and members of the community are being encouraged to attend.

Peebles Community Council’s convenor of planning, Peter Maudsley said: “The developer is going to put a roadshow together in the Burgh Hall and give the council formal proposals on what they intend to do.

“It is 22 houses and it doesn’t appear to have changed from the last time so I am sure we will want to fight it again.”

Chairman Les Turnbull added: "It’s essentially that as many people who have a view about this go along to the consultation and make their views known. By legislation the developers must put out forms for members of the public to complete if they wish and then they must make reference to those when they make their application.”

Carmichael Homes will hold the drop-in event at the Burgh Hall on Wednesday, September 25.