MOVES to bring a 3G pitch to Peebles finally kicked off on Tuesday.

After a troubled build-up, which saw neighbourhoods across Peebles condemn some of the options and the local authority's administration policy group turn its back on the preferred site, there was unanimous support by members of the ruling Executive at Newtown to take proposals to the next stage.

Internal rows over the past six weeks had placed the entire project in doubt.

But it was eventually decided to progress plans for siting the pitch at Victoria Park at an additional cost of more than £560,000 on top of the original allocation of £1.1 million.

And members of the Executive agreed unanimously on Tuesday to progress the additional funding requirement to the budget discussions for the 2016/17 capital programme.

Local councillor Stuart Bell admits the Victoria Park site is the least worst choice after the preferred site at The Gytes was ruled out because of flood risks.

He told us: "As The Gytes is not on, and as one of the clear beneficiaries of a 3G Pitch is the High School the two remaining alternatives would be Craigerne Lane or on Victoria Park.

"Whilst we had many representations in favour and against both alternatives, my conclusions were based on the weight of the arguments not on the numbers of letters and e-mails.

"On either site there is the potential for disturbance from lighting or noise to residents in the relevant locality – these are real concerns and the chosen site would need to get planning permission which requires a full assessment of such disturbance and also requires appropriate mitigation.

"But the two sites differed in respect of the impact of parking, the availability of changing facilities and the risks of localised flooding; there was only a slight difference in cost. I think, and the Executive agreed, that on balance the preferable site is Victoria Park even though that might be considered as the least worst alternative."

Sportscotland has previously indicted financial support in the region of £300,000 towards 3G pitches in the Borders.

But further discussions, as well as a stage 2 funding application submission, will now take place with the national agency in a bid to secure additional cash towards the Peebles scheme.

Councillor Bell added: "A concern is that these 3G Pitches are proving to be much more expensive than we were told a few years ago.

"As a consequence the Executive approved an amendment to their report, proposed by myself and seconded by Councillor Bhatia, that our council must urgently engage with Sportscotland to persuade them to rebalance their contribution to the costs so that there is not an excessive charge on the Council Tax payers.

"I am in favour of a 3G Pitch in Peebles, because I think there is a real need for this to maintain the standards of our football an rugby, I am in favour, but not at any cost.”

Further consultation work will take place with sports clubs and other interested parties over the coming months.

And a detailed planning application will be prepared during the autumn.

Councillor Vicky Davidson, who represent Culture and Sport on the Executive, said: "The approval of this report takes us a step further towards delivering both these synthetic pitches next year.

“There is still significant work ahead and we will be working with sports clubs in both towns and with sportscotland to develop the business plan for each pitch and to clarify the exact facilities required."