A FORESTRY business owner and his dog-walking daughter are battling with council planners to build a bespoke dog day care centre and several workshops.
Wilson Golder Jamieson, of Barr Road, Galashiels, has applied to Scottish Borders Council for permission to build seven workshop units and a dog day centre at a depot on Langshaw Road.
The Farknowes depot is owned by Mr Jamieson’s company, Wilson G Jamieson Forestry and Fencing, and his daughter Leonie Jamieson runs Galashiels Dog Walking Service.
The plans would have seen Ms Jamieson set up a permanent headquarters for business, including office space and an exercise paddock for dogs, but council planners have scuppered the proposals, saying the Jamiesons had not shown there is sufficient economic need for a development in the countryside and that the aesthetics of the proposals would not be in keeping with a rural setting.
Now, the Jamieson’s agent, Galashiels-based Gain Planning Services, have lodged an appeal with Scottish Borders Council.
In a statement outlining their reasons for appeal, Peter MacLeod, of Gain Planning Services, wrote: “The proposed workshops would provide a valuable resource to local small businesses at an affordable price.
“The demand for such a use has been demonstrated by the fact that most of the units have already been requested in advance of development.
“The proposal makes good use of surplus land within the applicant’s ownership, benefitting from the existing infrastructure, access, onsite facilities and security within the existing site.
“There are limited opportunities for units of this nature within the Galashiels development boundary.
“The buildings would not be out of character with the area, and it would not be detrimental to the rural character.
“The use is a relatively low intensity one and the units have been carefully sited and coloured to blend in with the surroundings.
“Ongoing landscaping and additional planting will further this.”
Scottish Borders Council’s local review body is due to meet on Monday, February 18, to discuss the appeal.
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