A LONG-RUNNING planning bid to convert a former coach house in the Borders into a family home has been resolved after approval was granted.

It was back in July 2019 that Sophie Robson, of Gattonside, submitted a planning application to Scottish Borders Council for the change of use of a former coach house, currently used for storage, in the grounds of Cotgreen House in Melrose, into a three-bedroom home and to replace its metal roof with a slate roof in the process.

The coach house is a two-storey detached building once used for stabling and as a groom’s residence, dating from the early 1900s.

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There was originally an objection from Ian Paterson, the owner of nearby Sunnyside Farm.

He feared that a three-bedroom house would over-populate an already high density site, saying: “We object on the grounds over-populating with people and cars at an already densely-populated site.”

In her report supporting the conversion, Julie Hayward, the council’s lead planning officer said: “The alterations proposed are minor in nature and no extensions are proposed. The alterations are in keeping with the character of the building and the slate roof is welcomed.”