A CONSERVATIONIST couple who created a wildlife pond near a Peeblesshire village without planning approval have been granted permission for its retention.

Geoff Small, from Peebles, was unaware that approval was needed when he created the pond on land west of Wrae Farm in Broughton.

A retrospective application subsequently submitted to Scottish Borders Council has now been rubber-stamped.

In a submission with the application, Mr Small said: “The land is designated as woodland.

“My wife and I purchased the land as we are keen conservationists and wanted to develop the somewhat neglected woodland.

“We understand the woodland was harvested 10 years ago then replanted about seven years ago and no further works had been done.

“As a family we visit the woodland regularly and are trying to improve it for nature. We have rescued many trees, installed bird boxes, cleared some paths etc.

“I wrote to the planning department asking if I needed permission for installing two ponds. I quote my response as: ‘Unfortunately, Scottish Borders Council no longer provide written confirmation in response to general planning enquiries about the need for planning permission. Guidance on what needs planning permission is however available on our website’.

“On reading the website I could not see any need for planning permission.

“However, I now learn this is deemed as ‘engineering works’ so I was wrong.

“Somebody raised a complaint about my developments in the wood and the council’s enforcement officer visited the site to assess the situation.

“I had previously requested for a hut to be put in the wood and permission was granted.

“I then asked about the ponds and understood that permission was not needed so proceeded with one pond. I was then advised by the enforcement officer that retrospective permission was needed for engineering works.”

In his report approving the application, SBC planning officer Ranald Dods states: “The site is within an area of commercial forestry and lies within the Upper Tweeddale NSA. The application arises from an enforcement enquiry.

“I am content that this is a local rather than a major application.

“The pond, which measures approximately 7m by 17m was formed by cutting the soil to a depth of 1.3m with the cut material being deposited on the downward slope.

“Tree stumps were removed from the area as were saplings, the latter being replanted in the surrounding area.

“The small scale development, which is shielded from view by the existing conifer trees, would not have a detrimental effect on the objectives or overall designation of the national scenic area and will add to the biodiversity of the area.

“It can therefore be considered to be acceptable. Had circumstances been different, I may have reached a different conclusion.”

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