A DETACHED house bid for a countryside site outside of Selkirk has been rejected amid fears it would “stick out like a sore thumb”.

Members of the council’s local review body today refused an application for the dwelling on land south west of Castleside Cottage at Castleside Farm in Ashkirk on Monday (March 20).

Council planning officer Carlos Clarke had originally refused the application from Ashkirk-based P J Lewis over concerns the proposed home was out of character with the rural setting and neighbouring properties.

And councillors also raised concerns at the proposed cladding for the property as the application was rejected by a majority vote.

Mid Berwickshire councillor Donald Moffat said: “I’m afraid that I don’t think the design fits well with where it’s going to be. I just think it would stand out like a sore thumb.

“I know in my own ward I sometimes get people having a go at me at some of the designs of houses and asking how on Earth did it get allowed and I can imagine this being just the same if it ever got allowed.”

Jedburgh councillor Sandy Scott said: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and some people will like this and some won’t. I’m personally happy with it.”

Tweeddale West councillor Viv Thomson said: “I support the officer’s recommendation. Having seen the house with the cladding proposed, it is very different from what’s already on the site so it is not in keeping with the character of the area. It’s going to stand out so much.”

Hawick councillor Neil Richards disagreed, adding: “We talk about it being out of keeping but I imagine when everything was thatched and the first slates went on they were different too. We are living in a different age and to be honest I quite like it.”