A SADDLER has won permission to build a house and workshop in West Linton.

Erlend Milne triumphed at Scottish Borders Council’s (SBC) local review body meeting on Monday.

The meeting, held through video-conferencing platform Microsoft Teams, was the first since lockdown to be open to the public.

Mr Milne’s appeal came after his initial application to build a home and workshop at Tarf House was refused.

In his application, Mr Milne had planned to move his saddlery and leather businesses to the proposed workshop.

He also registered his business with a nearby horse-riding track, which his appeal stated “is location specific and requires a nearby residential presence”.

Jim Fullarton, member for East Berwickshire, called for the original refusal to be overturned.

His motion was seconded by Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton.

The meeting – which also saw councillors refusing to back the proposed demolition of a house in Cuddyside, Peebles – was only the second to be held over Teams and the first to allow members of the public to view proceedings.

The council has asked for feedback from anyone who listened in.

Councillor Tom Miers, the executive member for planning, said: “We’re always looking for ways of improving the process so we can be as open as possible to the public.

“So good ideas on how to achieve that are always welcome.”

If you joined this week’s meeting and want to provide feedback, you can visit this website.

The next local review body meeting will be held on June 1 at 10am.