PLANS have been revealed for the conversion of a former barn at a farmhouse in Hawick into a “modest three bedroom house”.

Scottish Borders Council is to consider the application from Miss H Routledge, for the conversion of the property at West Boonraw Farmhouse, three miles north of Hawick, just set off the A7 trunk road.

The farmhouse is the mainstay of an agricultural smallholding and is owned by the applicant’s parents.

Having had difficulty getting on the housing market, Miss Routledge and her partner want to convert the vacant building into their home.

A report submitted with the application from Hawick-based Stuart Patterson says:  “With the applicant’s parents owning the building and surrounding land, all access and facilities are readily available, and it is ripe for conversion. A prior structural check has already been carried out, with the majority of the building deemed structurally sound.

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“The smallholding is not run as a business, but still has some small livestock; however it is mostly used as an equestrian livery yard on a domestic scale. The applicant and her partner are both heavily involved with the equestrian side of things.

“With the current housing market buoyant, the applicant has struggled to find a suitable house to move out of the family home, with many sales going above and beyond sensible asking prices it is very difficult to get a foot on the housing ladder.

“With the building in the steading lying dormant, this application seek to convert the remaining section into a modest three bedroom house.

“With the applicant and her partner owning several horses, the adjacent stables will also be incorporated into the ownership of the building, making it an ideal location for their home.”