DEMOLITION finally began on Monday (September 23) of former school buildings in the Borders – paving the way for a potential new supermarket.

The gym, the social dining block and the two-storey ROSLA building are to be removed at the old Jedburgh Grammar School site at Friarsgate.

The school was left redundant once the £32m intergenerational Jedburgh Grammar Campus at Hartrigge Park opened in April, 2020.

A public consultation was launched over the future of the vacant site two years ago.

There were 636 responses to the consultation with the majority of respondents (490) suggesting that a supermarket was the preferred option, with other suggestions being a care home and sports park.

The school building is empty and in a poor state of repair and its demolition will make the site more attractive ahead of it being marketed to potential buyers.

In his report approving demolition, Euan Calvert, Scottish Borders Council (SBC) planning assistant, stated: “The demolition offers a positive opportunity to make a better contribution to the conservation area and the removal will not harm the townscape quality.

“The removal may be a catalyst for future wider development at the Pleasance. Redevelopment proposals have not been demonstrated but as the council is owner of this site the future use and master-planning of the former grammar school can be controlled.”

During consultation one respondent stated: “The local Jedburgh people need a supermarket such as Aldi or Lidl that provides more choice and better prices than the Co-op.

“Many people have to travel to other towns for grocery shopping, many relaying on public transport which isn’t great.”

Another respondent added: “By providing Jedburgh with a proper supermarket we will keep local people in the town, using less emissions from travelling and also using the local facilities more.”

As part of a rationalisation programme, SBC is looking to sell off 10 per cent of its current estate assets over the next few years.