AN APPEAL has been launched after a bid to build a house for employees of a falconry breeding operation in the Borders was rejected.

Earlier this year, Scottish Borders Council refused a planning application to build a three-bedroom Hawick property on land at Windrush in Highend.

The applicant Hamad Aloswadain had stated that employees involved with his Falcon and Hack Pen operation had been residing at his home nearby.

But that property had become over-crowded and Mr Aloswadain wanted to build a three-bedroomed house where the workers could reside.

An appeal against planning refusal is to be considered by members of the council’s Local Review Body when they meet on Monday, June 20.

The art of falconry, known as the ‘sport of kings’, is part of the traditional way of life of the Bedouin in the Gulf region.

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First used for hunting, a fully-trained, swift and sharp-eyed falcon would bring back prey and be rewarded.

Over the centuries, the reasons for hunting have evolved from necessity to sport and then to status symbol.

In a report refusing the application, council planning officer Scott Shearer, said the falconry operation at Windrush was not a business but a “family hobby” and, as such, there was no economic reason to justify the building of a house in such a remote location.

He said: “The proposal is located outside of a settlement. The applicant’s property of Windrush is located directly to the north west of the site. Other than this property no other residential properties exist in the surrounding area which would form part of a recognised group of three houses.

“The proposal would provide accommodation for employees of the Falcon and Hack Pen operation. Currently the persons who look after the operation reside at Windrush, however it is claimed that the property is getting over-crowded.

“The bird of prey facility is already established at the site and recent consents have suggested that the operation is expanding.

“It has been confirmed that the falconry operation is not a business and instead a family hobby which is personally financed and does not appear to operate for profit.

“Plainly, because the falconry activity at Windrush is not operated as a business there are no economic reasons for the operation to justify a house on business grounds.”