AN INTERNATIONALLY-RECOGNISED ice cream factory which suffered a setback after a devastating farm fire near Galashiels has been given the green light to rise from the ashes.

Two beloved pet dogs died following the blaze at Over Langshaw Farm back in March last year.

Thankfully, none of the livestock suffered injuries at the time but an ice cream factory on site was destroyed.

By using farm-fresh milk and cream the factory produces a huge range of luxury ice cream flavours.

The Over Langshaw ice creams have also been made famous as a result of being sold from an old ‘police box’ in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket during the city’s annual summer festival.

Now the farm is fighting back with an application approved by Scottish Borders Council (SBC) this week to build a new ice cream unit on land south of the farm.

Lucy Bergius, the applicant, and her family business partners anticipate that there will be four employees once the factory becomes established with initially two full time and the others part time.

With the retail element being essential within the new build it also gives scope for further job creation as the business continues to grow.

A support statement with the application said: “Miss Bergius has already many established customers, i.e. hotels in the Scottish Borders and various further shop outlets. She was particularly successful at the Edinburgh Festival in 2023 when she took over the police box in the Grassmarket where she dispensed ice cream to the many visitors thus earning a well deserved ‘international. reputation’.

“The Scottish Government is committed to support economic development and since farms are now having to diversify to include farm shops etc. my client feels that this is an appropriate addition to her business.”

In her report approving the application, Julie Hayward, SBC’s lead planning officer, says: “The business has expanded over the years, resulting in more deliveries per week to the busy working farm.

“Alternative sites have been investigated at the farm steading but space is limited and the land very steep. The new site would allow for expansion, create additional space at the steading for agricultural purposes and reduce farm traffic on the lane, improving conditions for residents.

“The proposed site would allow the factory and shop to be located within one building and also allow for a play area and seating to provide a visitor experience not currently available at the existing site. The site is large enough to allow the business to expand in the future. The proposal would generate additional employment, all of which would contribute to the rural economy.”