COUNCILLORS are being urged to approve a planning bid for 60 affordable houses in Galashiels.

The Eildon Housing Association wants to locate the development – which includes three blocks of flats - on undulating land just south of Coopersknowe Crescent on the eastern outskirts of the town.

Some residents of that neighbouring estate, which comprises 30 detached houses but was halted when a private developer went into liquidation a decade ago, have submitted objections to the Eildon bid which will be considered by Monday’s meeting of Scottish Borders Council’s planning committee.

They fear too many houses are being shoehorned into the site and that building on particular plots could adversely affect their privacy and amenity.

But in a report recommending approval of the application, SBC’s lead planning officer Carlos Clarke notes that planning consents for residential development on the site date back to 1990 with the most recent, for 42 homes, being granted in June, 2014.

Of the new bid, Mr Clarke concedes: “Elements within the development are not wholly satisfactory, in particular, the immediate visual relationship with Coopersknowe Crescent.

“However, provided suitable mitigation can be achieved by way of planting, materials, colours and boundary treatments, the overall visual effect of the development is considered to be acceptable.”

He also notes that the Eildon proposal accords with the council’s five-year strategic housing investment plan, approved on Tuesday, and its target of delivering 128 affordable homes a year until 2020.

“The Scottish Government is also aware of this project and have indicated a willingness to financially assist Eildon to develop the site,” adds Mr Clarke.