DESPITE strong opposition from neighbours a developer has been granted permission to build on garden ground in Selkirk.

A total of nine objections were tabled against the plans for Ettrick Road.

But following a recent site visit, members of Scottish Borders Council’s planning committee sided with developer Paul Hermiston.

Planning boss John Hayward told Monday’s meeting: “We walked around the site to judge the relationship of the proposed house with neighbouring properties.

“The proposed footprint was pegged out for us and we were given an indication of the height.” Several councillors aired their concerns that a modern-rendered house would look out of place in the street of stone-finished properties.

And Coldstream member Donald Moffat proposed a motion to reject the application on grounds that it would impact on neighbours.

But the consensus was to agree with the planning department’s recommendation of approval.

Selkirkshire councillor Michelle Ballantyne said: “I can understand why the objectors are objecting, however having looked at the site this application doesn’t seem to breach any of our policies.

“I do feel we should what we can so that the property is in keeping with the other houses. The size and form is okay but the finish is a concern. We want something that compliments the other buildings.” Kelso member Simon Mountford also pushed for tighter controls on the finish of the new property.

He added: “All the other buildings in the road are of dressed stone but this new build will be finished with a render.

“We need to make sure that this building isn’t in contrast to what is already there.

“A new build could easily become an eye-sore.” Councillors voted to pass the application with an additional informative that the window detail and finish should be in keeping with the rest of the street.

A further eleven conditions were also included as part of the approval.