THE go-ahead has been given for turning an iconic boiler house in Melrose into upmarket homes.

Award-winning architect Gordon Duffy is hoping to save the former Dingleton Hospital engine room with his sensitive conversion into five unique properties.

This week his detailed plans for the Peter Womersley-designed monolithic building were given the green light by Scottish Borders Council.

Built in 1977, the towering boiler house was operational until the closure of the Victorian hospital in 2001.

Fears were growing that one of most iconic of Womersley's later works would fall into a state of disrepair.

Mr Duffy plans to retain all of the original features during his Boilerhouse Project conversion.

He said: "Making use of the embodied energy in the existing concrete building, the Boilerhouse Project gives it new life, replacing old technologies with new.

"Solar panels on the roof will feed into the energy needs of the new properties and the existing chimney will be put to use again, this time serving energy efficient wood-burning stoves."

Concern had been raised about parking provision at the site, with room for only eight vehicles.

But planning officers are happy with the vision for the building.

Lead officer Julie Hayward said: "There is a challenge in carrying out a conversion to residential use without impacting on the character of the original structure.

"The approach adopted by the applicant of confining the intervention for new windows to the infill corrugated panels - taking a cue from the existing mess room window arrangement - is a thoughtful solution which allows the mass concrete to be untouched.

"The retention of the boiler flue is also to be welcomed."

Peter Womersley spent much of his working life in the Scottish Borders.

And his distinctive architecture, including the Gala Fairydean Rovers stand, the Scottish Borders Council headquarters, and Bernat Klein Studio near Selkirk, continue to attract visitors from all over the world.

Most of his buildings are now Listed by Historic Environment Scotland.

The five properties, which are either two- or -three-bedroomed, have indicative prices of between £200,000 and £470,000.