A PLANNING bid for a new apartment block beside an 18th century Peebles mansion has been refused after hundreds of locals raised concerns over the impact on a mature woodland.

Edinburgh-based Granton Homes has planning permission in principle for a 14-home flatted development in the grounds of Kingsmeadows House.

But a Save Kingsmesdows campaign was launched after it emerged that 13 mature trees would need to be felled to allow the development to proceed.

More than 350 objections to the scheme were submitted to Scottish Borders Council calling for the complete retention of the 200-year-old woodland.

Peebles Community Council also objected to the development, saying the site was home to wildlife and mature woodland and that the proposal would have a “negative visual effect on the listed building and its setting”.

Granton responded saying that 195 new mature trees would be planted for what was described as a “sensitive development”.

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The company argued that the majority of the trees that required felling are the site of the apartment block and are younger, mostly self-seeded and not part of the mature woodland.

Now council planning officer Ranald Dods has issued a report refusing the proposal beside the category B-listed building, saying it lacked “respect” for its surroundings.

Mr Dods also cited a lack of information being submitted on issues such a ecology.

He says: “It is proposed to erect a four-storey block of flats of modern design nine metres to the east of Kingsmeadows House.

“The design, layout and details of the proposed development would not respect the character or appearance of the conservation area, the setting of the listed building and the locally designated landscape.

“The proposal would result in the loss of trees over and above what was accepted in the planning permission in principle. That would be a detriment to the character and appearance of the conservation area and locally designated landscape.”