COUNCILLORS have postponed their decision on plans for a new affordable housing estate in Newtown St Boswells.

Edinburgh-based Hart Builders are planning on building a new 64-home estate to the north of Sergeants Park, and to the west of Newtown Primary School, on behalf of Eildon Housing Association.

However, the plans have been met with objections from local residents and representatives from Newtown and Eildon Community Council, who have raised concerns over exerting additional pressure on Newtown’s GP surgery, primary school, and sewerage system.

At a meeting of Scottish Borders Council’s planning and building standards committee on Monday, councillors heard from local resident Ian Renton, who spoke in opposition to the plans.

He told councillors: “I’m here to ask the committee to refuse this application. This village has had 40 houses built here recently and now you’re asking us to find room for another 60.

“The two main objections are about the surgery and the sewerage works.

“There are people waiting six weeks to be seen by a doctor. We may have to wait longer if these houses are built. That could cost a life.

“This must be knocked back because it is for the health of the village. There’s no way the village can take another 60 houses.

“The second point is the sewerage works. It too cannot take another 60 houses. You can actually smell the sewers when it rains because it comes back up the drains.

“There are plenty of other places in the Borders these houses could be built. You have the chance here today to support us just for once.

“Think of the people’s health. Think of the old age people. We live here.”

Because the estate will be 100% affordable housing, the developers will be exempt from paying developers contributions to improve the village’s primary school and GP surgery, something which has raised concerns at Newtown and Eildon Community Council.

In a written objection, community councillor Roger French said: “For over ten years the community council and the village have been lead to believe that the new housing developments in Scottish Borders Council’s local plan would be beneficial to Newtown St Boswells as a result of developer contributions.

“This would not only fund the expansion of the existing community services to accommodate the growth, for example school, health facilities sewage plant, road infrastructure, and play facilities, but also to help fund addition benefits like an improved or new village centre.

“The first objection is that this proposed development will provide no developer contribution apart from providing token funds to cover additional playground equipment.

“The 64 dwellings potentially represents some 147 additional residents who will be using the existing community services which are under strain already and this is unacceptable.

“The second objection is that this planning application does not comply with Scottish Borders Council’s development framework for the village which has a core objective to co-ordinate developments in the village to prevent piecemeal development.

“All the developments in the framework are mixed house developments comprising of 75% private housing and 25% affordable/social housing.

“Maintaining this ratio is important since without the private housing no developer contribution is available to fund the enlarged community.”

As part of Scottish Borders Council’s local development plan, Newtown St Boswells has been identified as a potential site for 900 new homes.

However, members of the planning and building standards committee are concerned that without a master plan guiding the development of these houses, allowing smaller developments to be built may lead to a poor local planning, and a lack of developer contributions will exacerbate the pressure on local services.

Hawick and Denholm councillor Clair Ramage said: “I have serious concerns about this. We’re going to put all these houses in but there’s already pressure on the local primary and secondary schools.

“Where are all of these new children going to go? Affordable housing is a plus but I have concerns about there being no development contributions.”

Kelo and District councillor Simon Mountford said: “I am concerned that we are developing this piecemeal.

“We’re talking about a future development of 900 houses, without looking and getting a clear picture.”

Councillor Ramage also tabled a motion to defer the application until more information on the development of 900 homes in Newtown could be brought forward by council officers.

However, some councillors felt that the application must be judged in isolation.

Galashiels and District councillor Sandy Aitchison said: “We’re looking at an application here. The plan for the 900 houses is a different issue altogether.

“We’re looking at this on it’s own merit and the roads department and Scottish Water have not objected.”

Councillors voted by five votes to four to defer the decision until council officers can provide more information on the future of Newtown St Boswells.