PLANNING chiefs are recommending the approval of a controversial housing development at the foot of the Eildon Hills.

Rural Renaissance, the contracting arm of Melrose-based JS Crawford property developers, wants to build 28 homes on the Croft, near Dingleton Road, Melrose.

Some of the new properties would tower 15 metres about the height of Dingleton Road and the council has so far received 131 objections and representations.

The firm has been locked in discussions with Scottish Borders Council planners and the public since the plans were first unveiled in October 2018.

Since then, the plans have seen numerous revisions, but now the developers are finally set to get the go ahead from the council, as council officers are recommending the development is approved at a meeting of the local authority’s planning and building standards committee on Monday July 1.

In a report to councillors sitting on the committee, principal planning officer Craig Miller writes: “The most challenging part of the development site is undoubtedly the section behind The Croft building which is proposed for a loop road and plots 13-18.

“There has been considerable concern and objection to the prominence and visual impacts of this section of the development and this is fully understood.

“There were strong concerns expressed to the applicant about the height and bulk of the, effectively, three storey houses behind The Croft and the impacts from Dingleton Road.

“More than any other part of the development, this element has been of greatest concern to the department.

“Whilst objectors have commented that ridge heights could be up to 15m above the level of Dingleton Road as a result of the revised proposals, there are a series of mitigating factors that result in the acceptance of the amended proposals.

“The planning brief requests a loop road around the back of The Croft and in terms of efficiency of land development and site viability, it must be accepted that houses need to be accessed from this loop road and would be on the uphill side of that road.”

The latest set of proposals contains 28 dwellings, of which seven will be designated as affordable housing, and a mix of two storey houses with and without attic rooms.

The plans have been met with fierce criticism by the ‘Don’t Build on the Eildons’ campaign group, who have raised concerns over traffic, impact on the landscape and increased pressure on local schools and services.

Greg Simpson, from the Don’t Build on the Eildons campaign, said: “Many in the community are horrified by the developers plans. You can tell from the officers’ report, they have recommended approval through gritted teeth.

“They still have great concerns over the huge houses that will tower over Dingleton and be an ugly blot on the Eildons. But their hands are tied by a poor planning brief drafted over a decade ago.

“This gives the planning committee a really difficult decision: do they wave through a deficient design based on a substandard brief and scar the Eildons forever? Or will they take the opportunity of the new Local Plan to pause and think again?

“With such a controversial site in such a sensitive area, with such local opposition, you would hope they will err on the side of caution.”

A spokesperson for Crawfords highlighted the economic benefits of allowing the proposals to go ahead: “The proposed new homes at the Croft, Melrose, is an exciting project for the local community.

“Our design team have been working with officials from Scottish Borders Council to ensure proposals are fully compliant.

“Research has found that the development of 28 new homes, including seven affordable houses will bring in an additional £760,000 of residential spend on local shops and services, a £1.1m spend on suppliers, and the creation of approximately 120 jobs.

“Furthermore, the Croft will ensure that the pressure on the housing land supply is reduced and the provision of choice across the housing market area is increased through the design, quality and density of development that can be achieved.

“These factors, in the unpredictable market shaped by ongoing Brexit discussions, are vital in safeguarding the economic stability of the Scottish Borders and the quality of life for the community.”