A BED and breakfast in Galashiels will be turned into a private house after planning permission was approved.

Binniemyre Guest House, on Abbotsford Road, was converted to a B&B from its previous residential use in 1993, according to council papers.

However, it will now become a private house again after Scottish Borders Council planning officers approved proposals to change it from class 7 (hotels and hostels) to class 9 (dwellinghouse).

Carlos Clarke, lead planning officer, said it was “regrettable” for the town to lose tourist accommodation but that the “development will accord with the relevant provisions of the Local Development Plan 2016”.

“The building was built as, and formerly occupied, as a dwellinghouse prior to its conversion to a guest house,” he said. “No alterations are proposed here, and I see no reason why it could not be occupied as a private dwellinghouse without any alterations that would affect its character.”

Mr Clarke added: “In all other regards, including services, waste storage, parking and impacts on neighbouring amenity, I would expect the proposal will reduce, rather than increase, any impacts or requirements.”

The Victorian house – built for a local mill owner in 1862 – is a C listed property.

It had previously been advertised on the market as having 10 bedrooms, six bathrooms and two reception rooms.