A BID to extend a house in Peebles has been approved by council planning chiefs, despite attracting opposition from neighbours and an architectural society.

The Dean Park development will see the erection of a single-storey extension and two dormers to the rear of the 19th century property.

A storm porch and solar panels will also be added to the front of the terraced house.

The application attracted a number of objections over issues such as loss of privacy, impact on the conservation area, and impact on residential amenity.

Concerns were also raised about the planned solar panels being “out of character” as well as the rear extension’s appearance when viewed from Edinburgh Road.

The Peebles Civic Society and the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland were among the objectors, with the latter previously labelling the proposals as “insensitive”.

But the plans were rubber-stamped by Scottish Borders Council’s (SBC) planning committee on Monday (March 28).

At the meeting, Barry Fotheringham, SBC lead planning officer, made reference to the fact that a number of other properties on the street had rear extensions.

“The rear extension is not outstanding in terms of design but it will not be visible from the public realm and will have a neutral effect on the character and appearance of the conservation area,” he said. “The extent of overlooking and level of privacy that residents enjoy will be dependent on a range of factors including proximity, height and orientation of other properties.”

On the solar panels, East Berwickshire councillor Helen Laing, of the SNP, said: “I know some people don’t like them but I think we have to accept that that is the way it’s going to be now to reduce our carbon footprint.”

The application was approved subject to a number of conditions being met.

One of those was that within three months of the approved solar panels becoming redundant, they and any supporting structures and fixtures “shall be completely removed from the building and the roof returned to its original condition”.

This condition was included in the interest of the character and appearance of the conservation area.