This meeting was scheduled to include discussions about planning applications and appeals, as well as the private business of the committee.

Kingsmeadows House, Peebles

A variation to a planning condition was included for discussion in relation to a previously approved application at Kingsmeadows House in Peebles.

The application, from Granton Homes Ltd, seeks to change the wording of condition 2, which covers the submission of matters specified in conditions, of planning permission 19/00182/PPP, to avoid any perceived confusion .

79 representations from members of the public were received in response to the initial submission. Concerns raised in these representations include: loss of trees, impact on wildlife, the suitability of the development in the conservation area and increased traffic.

The report from the Chief Planning and Housing Officer concludes that:

Subject to compliance with the schedule of conditions, the development would accord with the relevant provisions of the statutory development plan. There are no material considerations that would justify a departure from these provisions.

The report recommends that the application be granted and that, in line with the existing section 75 legal agreement¹, a new planning permission in principle be issued with a number of conditions.

Appeals and Reviews

The Committee also had a briefing note on recent planning appeals and reviews.

This included details of two appeals received in relation to planning applications.

The first of these appeals relates to the refusal of permission to erect 8 wind turbines at Wull Muir, Heriot. The original application was refused due to concerns about the impact on the landscape and visual amenity of the area.

The second appeal is in relation to an application to make changes to a chalet near Broughton. This was refused due to the impact the development would have on the National Scenic Area.

The briefing note also detailed nine recently received Review Requests from applicants looking to challenge the refusal of planning permission, including applications relating to:

• The change of use of land at White Bridge Park in Peebles for plant hire and builders yard.
• The erection of two dwellinghouses at Bourtree Terrace, Hawick.
• The erection of a residential caravan and dwellinghouse at Baddinsgill, near West Linton.
• The siting of a residential caravan at Townhead, Midlem.
• The erection of a dwellinghouse and garage at Coldingham.
• Change of use of the former Post Office at 53 High Street, Innerleithen to short-term letting accommodation.
• The erection of a dwellinghouse with associated access at Pinnacle Burn Cottage, Ancrum.
• The erection of a dwellinghouse with associated access near Cavers, Hawick.

The briefing note shows that of the review requests determined since the previous meeting, one was upheld and one was overturned.

The successful appeal, which resulted in planning permission being granted, was in relation to the erection of holiday let accommodation at Warlawbank Steading, Reston, Eyemouth.

The unsuccessful appeal related to an application for the re-orientation of five dwellinghouses, and the erection of an additional 12, at Broomlands, Kelso. The review body upheld the original decision of the planning officer to refuse the application.

The briefing note also provides details of the five reviews outstanding since the previous meeting.