A NEW housing development built on the site of the old primary school in Lauder, which had lain derelict since the new school opened five years ago, was officially opened this week.

Local authority leader David Parker, who represents Leaderdale and Melrose on Scottish Borders Council, was accompanied by local pupil Sandy Bishop at the unveiling ceremony in recognition for him providing the chosen name for the development “Old School Place”.

And whinstone from the former school has been incorporated as a feature into the design of the 12 home development which consists of nine family homes for affordable rent and three for mid-market rent.

The £1.67 million building project was funded by a combination of contributions from The Scottish Government, Scottish Borders Council and Eildon Housing Association.

Councillor Parker, said: “It is tremendous that Eildon Housing have delivered this fantastic new development in Lauder.  “Old School Place was an important partnership project to deliver much needed family homes in the Lauder area and the scheme has already been extremely successful in terms of its design and the quality of the accommodation provided.  “I am also pleased that the site of the former primary school, which served the town so well for many years, continues to benefit families in the Lauder community.” And he added: “I hope that in other sites in the Scottish Borders we will be able to work with Eildon again in the near future so that other communities can benefit in the same way that Lauder has in the development of Old School Place.”