A NEW 26-home affordable housing development designed as a ‘gateway to Selkirk’ is on the planning agenda.

Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) want to build a mix of flats and houses with one to four bedrooms in Linglie Road, located to the west of the town.

The site has historically been undeveloped but has been left in recent years and is currently significantly overgrown.

The land is allocated as a housing development of up to 30 homes within the Scottish Borders Local Development Plan (LDP) 2023.

Back in 2022 a bid for 30 new homes on the site, from Galashiels-based Berand Homes Ltd, was ditched after being labelled “fundamentally flawed” by objectors.

That scheme was unanimously opposed by members of Selkirk and District Community Council.

The community council said the application “failed to demonstrate a well-planned and positively designed built ‘edge’ or gateway for this approach into Selkirk”.

SBHA, the largest social housing landlord operating in the Borders, acquired the land in 2023 and has now submitted the latest planning application to Scottish Borders Council.

A public consultation over the plans was held in May this year at SBHA offices in Selkirk, attended by 16 local people.

Concerns were raised over flooding issues, impact on wildlife and over-development.

SBHA has reduced the number of homes from a potential 30 to 26 and has assured concerned residents that the development sits fully outwith a flood risk area.

A report submitted with the application states: “The proposed development is intended to act as a gateway to Selkirk. All new homes are to be affordable properties developed for Scottish Borders Housing Association.

“The range of size of property allows for a variety of residents to benefit from this development, whilst growing and enhancing the wider community.

“The development aims to provide much needed affordable homes for local residents.

“The designs are in keeping with the existing neighbourhood to allow this new site to both knit into and enhance the local community.”

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