A FORMER Borders chapel and latterly a barn is set to be converted into a holiday home to help meet demand from a surge in tourists flocking to the region.

An application has been submitted to Scottish Borders Council from Kelso-based Wooden Potatoes Ltd for the conversion of a barn at Upper Wooden, located south of Wester Wooden Farm in Kelso, into a holiday let cottage.

There are records dating back to 1845 showing that Upper Wooden was used as an all-girls boarding school accommodating up to 20 young ladies, with the barn being used as a chapel.

A statement from the applicant’s agent, Jedburgh-based Lothian Estates, says: “The applicant wishes to convert the building into a holiday let cottage to create a complex alongside Upper Wooden cottage.

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“With the existing heights there is potential of creating a one and a half storey dwelling with the possibility of an extension on the east elevation.

“The applicant wishes to retain existing features and materials of the building so its history is not lost.

“A new access drive will be formed from the existing road leading to Upper Wooden cottage and will provide two car parking spaces. A new patio will also be formed on the east elevation to maximise the views of the surrounding landscape.”