EILDON Housing Association has been told to cut the number of affordable homes it wants to build on a gap site in eastern Galashiels.

The registered social landlord had sought full planning permission for 60 units on overgrown undulating land just south of Coopersknowe Crescent which comprises 30 four and five-bedroom detached houses.

On Monday, the planning committee of Scottish Borders Council voted 5-3 to give consent for the new development - which includes three blocks of flats – provided Eildon ditches plans to locate two of the rented homes on the plot closest to the neighbouring estate.

Councillors heard a plea from John Birnie, chairman of the Coopersknowe Residents Association, who said that plot was considered part of the original Coopersknowe development which was halted a decade ago when the private builder went into administration.

“Our residents feel they will effectively lose control of their estate if these two affordable homes are built here,” said Mr Birnie. “They want the plot to remain a small green belt to provide an effective area of transition between the two estates. We do not object to the other 58 units.”

And he urged councillors to visit the site before making a decision – a suggestion supported by Councillor Bill White (Galashiels & District).

“There is no doubt this gap site is an eyesore and in urgent need of development, but I believe there are a range of issues, including how pedestrian and disabled access and connectivity can be improved for both sets of residents, which would benefit from a site visit,” said Mr White.

He was supported by Councillor Michelle Ballantyne (Selkirkshire) who claimed Coopersknowe Crescent residents had bought their homes on the understanding the two-unit plot, to the north west of the gap site, would remain private.

“We need to judge the aesthetic impact of two very different types of houses being built next to each other,” she added.

Councillor Simon Mountford (Kelso), who is chair of the Scottish Borders Housing Association, said he also had reservations about the Eildon plans.

“I think shoehorning so many homes into this site is an overdevelopment,” he stated.

And he prompted gasps from colleagues when he added: “The affordable homes do not have the same feel as those on the private estate and I don’t like the idea of what could become a ghetto.”

In a report recommending approval of the Eildon bid, SBC’s lead planning officer Carlos Clarke noted that planning consents for residential development on the gap site dated back to 1990 with the most recent, for 42 homes, being granted in June, 2014.

Of the new application, Mr Clarke conceded: “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 observed that the Eildon proposal accorded with the council’s five-year strategic housing investment plan 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,” added Mr Clarke.

On a division, the committee was split 4-4 on Mr White’s motion for a site visit with chairman Ron Smith using his casting vote to reject the call.

Councillors then voted 5-3 to approve the application subject to the removal of the two-unit plot.