PLANS for a new social housing complex in Peebles have been given the go-ahead.

The revised Tweedbridge Court development, which comprises eight flats and 14 maisonettes, is expected to be ready for new tenants in the summer of 2021.

Scottish Borders Council received more than 150 objections to the original Eildon Housing plans for the site during last year.

And despite taking the bid to an appeal, both the local authority and Scottish Government considered the 40-apartment development out of keeping with the location.

The reduced and revised application by the Selkirk-based social landlord, which was tabled in October, was widely accepted by community groups in Peebles.

And just before Christmas planners at Scottish Borders Council granted approval.

A spokesman for the local authority said: "Compared against the previous proposal, this development is marginally longer, however the removal of a storey has considerably reduced the mass and bulk of the buildings.

"The proposals still remain larger than the vast majority of buildings on the southern side of the river, nevertheless the reduced scale now presents a more palatable increase alongside the size of the properties at Dukehaugh while also better reflecting the scale of larger buildings on the opposite side of the river.

"While the previous proposals received over 150 objections which were mostly opposed to the scale and design of the development, this revised proposal has not received any.

"Clearly this is not being construed as support for the revised scheme but it is certainly notable that no third party objections have been received in connection with the current proposals."

The 22 new homes will be built in two mirrored blocks with work expected to start on the site this spring.

To minimise disruption Hart Builders will do most of the construction away from the site.

Nile Istephan, chief executive of Eildon Housing, explained: "Eildon will be looking at more sustainable building methods for this development and hope to use modular construction.

"This means that each home is built off-site and arrives almost complete just needing to be lifted into position ready for final connections.

"This reduces the on-site construction period whilst creating energy efficient greener homes for the future.

"These plans have been developed with comments and feedback from the local community, and the final design of 22 new homes provides much needed high quality affordable housing for the Borders."

As well as the 22 maisonettes and flats, the development will also have car-parking for 44 vehicles, a bike store, bin store and new pedestrian links to the riverside walkway.