A SECOND crematorium is set to open in the Borders following a long running stand-off with a neighbour.

The £2 million facility in Berwickshire is set to open next month after a long-running dispute was finally resolved.

The former B-listed church building in the tiny hamlet of Houndwood, was restored and converted into a crematorium to cater for funerals.

But after the work was completed and planning permission was granted the project was moth-balled after a resident said he would enforce an ancient act to prevent operations.

The 1902 Cremation Act states that crematoriums should have written approval of property owners living within 200 yards.

Although there are two buildings between Dr Fraser Quin’s £350,000 house and the crematorium, he lodged an objection after it was discovered the distance to the incinerator’s chimney stack measured 183 yards.

Dr Quin, 51, warned he would call the police if any services were held at Houndwood Crematorium due to the 17 yards unless the developers purchased his £350,000 house.

Last summer the company behind the project said they would apply to the Scottish Parliament to get the 113-year-old law scrapped, pointing out any emissions from the crematorium were minimal.

However, negotiations between Grantshouse Crematorium Limited and Dr Quin have resulted in him withdrawing his objection and an application has now been lodged with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency for a permit under the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012.

Project director Mark Lamb said they were now on course to open the 185-year-old church as a crematorium - believed to be the only one of its kind in Britain - in March. He said: “Over the past four years there has been a lot of hard work carried out ensuring it was sensitive to the building.

“That goes for the memorial garden as well which was given to us by a neighbouring garming who wanted to give something to the community.

“There is a healthy demand for a crematorium with the nearest one being in Melrose otherwise it is a long journey to Edinburgh or Newcastle. We have had a lot of support from the local community as they wanted to see the church refurbished especially at one it was on the at risk register with Historic Scotland.” Mr Lamb said, when a permit was granted, cremations would be held in the church which runs parallel to the A1 Edinburgh to Berwick-upon-Tweed road, starting next month.

Dr Quin, who was formerly involved in children’s nurseries in Edinburgh but resigned in November to concentrate on other business interests, was unavailable for comment.