BORDERS housing chiefs are hoping to build 10 family homes in Langlee to help meet the “demand for quality social properties in Galashiels”.

At Galashiels Community Council meeting on Wednesday, Scottish Borders Housing Association representatives unveiled the plans for the site of the former Rose Court flats.

The five-storey blocks, which were built in the 1970s, were knocked down in 2015 as they no longer met the requirements.

And while the project is still at its design stage, bosses are keen to get the go-ahead to build the affordable properties.

Speaking at the meeting, Henry Coyle director of assets and property services said: “Scottish Borders Housing Association now has 5,600 homes and 56 tennants were able to spend last Christmas in a new home.

“Our aim is to create much-needed affordable houses across the Scottish Borders.

“There has been a demand for quality housing in Galashiels for a while now. That’s why we’re aiming to build 10 new homes over 10 to 11 months.

“Heriot-Watt used the Rose Court flats as student accommodation and it was quite an unpopular building, so it was best to knock it down.

“We are still at the consultation stage of our proposals and haven’t discussed planning yet, but we’re looking to create 10 three-bedroom, five-person family homes on an attractive site. Family housing is the need in Langlee.”

Mr Coyle says the houses will all be available for social rent and be finished to the highest standard.

He added: “We have invested £110m in our stock to ensure all our internal fittings are the best. All fixtures and fittings will be of silver quality.

“We will expect to get 20 years out of our kitchens and 15 years out of our windows.”

But some community councillors were concerned about the proposed lack of car parking spaces at the site.

Drew Tulley said: “There are parking problems all over this town so there has to be enough spaces.”

While Tom Ingoldsby added: “Most households have two, three or four cars now. And sometimes it isn’t just family cars, some people take their work vehicles home. It would be better to target this problem now.”

Responding to the concerns, Mr Coyle said: “We will be looking at parking closely when we come to the planning stages.”