THE green light has been given for a new holiday complex which will cater for walkers and mountain bikers using the local trails at Glentress and Innerleithen.

Scottish Borders Council has rubber stamped an application for the conversion of a steading at Nether Horsburgh to form holiday let accommodation suitable for six to eight people.

The accommodation is to incorporate three en-suite bedrooms, including one on the ground floor to be fully accessible.

The lean-to to the south of the steading is to be converted to form a sun lounge with connection to the garden area and there is to be secure bike storage with wash down and ‘dirty entrance’.

A supporting statement submitted with the application by Jefcoate Anderson Architects, on behalf of the applicants and landowners, says: “The applicant’s intentions are to create a high quality, sustainable holiday accommodation that caters for groups enjoying outdoor pursuits, specifically walkers and mountain bikers using the local trails at Glentress and Innerleithen.

“The proposal is that the existing buildings are fully restored to retain the distinctive character and identity of the local area, with upgrades to provide a dwelling which is able to meet the needs of modern life.

“The proposed alterations are to be minimal interventions of a traditional building which will drastically improve the facilities, insulation, and structure of the accommodation.

“The history of this building has been considered throughout the design process to ensure the proposed alterations have minimal impact on the character of the farm steading within the context of the area.

“The applicant was keen to include traditional details, scale and forms into the new areas of work and these will be undertaken to a suitably high quality on site.”