A PROPOSAL for 22 new homes in the Borders has been rejected by the Scottish Government.

S Carmichael Properties Ltd wants to build the houses near Peebles on land to the east of Knapdale, Edinburgh Road. The planning application was first submitted in July last year.

The developer made an appeal to the Scottish Government after no decision was taken by Scottish Borders Council.

On behalf of its client, THE Architecture and Planning submitted an appeal statement on February 23.

It read: “The development proposal provides an attractive housing development that can be successfully integrated into the surrounding landscape of Peebles and has minimal effect on the setting of the town.”

But last week the Scottish Government dismissed the appeal.

David Buylla, who reported the appeal dismissal on behalf of the Scottish Government’s planning and environmental appeals division, said: “The proposed development does not accord overall with the relevant provisions of the development plan and there are no material considerations which would still justify granting planning permission.”

Mr Buylla added: “Taking all matters into account, I find that the proposal would deliver a net economic benefit and would contribute to addressing what appears to be a significant shortfall in the five year supply of effective housing land.

“However, such benefits are significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the clear conflict with the development plan and the considerable harm the proposal would cause to the character of Peebles and its surrounding countryside, and to the visual amenity of those who live, work and visit the area.”

Last July, Peebles Community Council provided its views on the proposed development.

The community council’s report read: “There have been several previous applications and requests for this site to be considered for private housing development, and all have been rejected.

“This is a prominent and highly sensitive site from a landscape point of view, being within both the Venlaw Castle Designed Landscape and the Tweed Valley Special Landscape Area, and highly visible from several viewpoints across the town.

“The Design and Access Statement in fact very clearly shows the negative visual impact that the proposed development would create, even from selected viewpoints.

“As we have stated in our previous planning responses, we feel strongly that there should be no development even on the lower slopes of this site.”