Published: Tuesday, 30th December, 2008 2:30am

Selkirk flats office move

by David Knox

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A BID to turn Selkirk offices into flats has been given the go-ahead.

Community councillors in the town opposed the full application to convert the glass-fronted offices on Mill Street, next to the car showroom, into two appartments.

But Scottish Borders Council"s planning department gave the it the green light.

A spokesman for Selkirk Community Council had stated: 'The Council concluded that a change of use for the property may be acceptable in principle – but the proposal as presented in this full application contains little if any architectural merit and it does nothing to improve the quality of the area.

'The Council noted that the existing property is a nondescript, flat roofed "modern" utilitarian building which is quite out of place against the local backdrop of Victorian Selkirk and expressed great concern that the proposed changes to the exterior offer no improvement – the alien flat roof is retained and the elevations are altered to make them even less appropriate to local character.'

But the applicant, Mr K Morris from Clovenfords, explained that he would enhance the current building.

He told planners: 'The building"s existing flat roof will brought up to present day standards as will the front elevation by replacing the existing wooden fascias with superior quality wooden finish and of course modern windows.

'The lay-out, as indicated within the drawings, show two light and airy modern two bedroom flats with a lounge and kitchen area plus family bathrooms and a utility rooms.'

The application only attracted one other objection.