A PEEBLES group has been stripped of its ‘right to buy’ status at a historically significant site – throwing the future of the land into uncertainty.

Ayr-based Moorbrook Textiles tabled an application to build 69 houses at the former March Street Mill back in 2018.

But the plans for the site – which dates back to the 19th century – were rejected by the Scottish Government.

And counter proposals by Peebles Community Trust (PCT) gained favour at Holyrood, with the group’s registration of a Community Right to Buy (CRtB) on the March Street plot winning approval.

However, in a recent court case an appeal against the CRtB award by land-owners Moorbrook Textiles was successful.

A PCT spokesperson said: “The board of the PCT regrets to inform the residents of Peebles that, as a result of a recent court case the site owners of March Street Mill have successfully appealed against the decision by the Scottish Government to approve the PCT’s application for registration of a Community Right to Buy (CRtB) on the March Street site.

“This means the PCT ‘right to buy’ registration has been removed from the government register.

“The PCT board is disappointed by this decision and believes it is to the detriment of the community which PCT exists to support and serve. To be clear, the successful appeal is against the Scottish Government (not PCT) and is of a specific point of law. It is not a reflection whatsoever on the PCT’s application, which had already passed several approval stages up until this point.

“The sheriff has ordered that the registration be removed from the register and that the prohibition on the site owner offering the site for sale be lifted.”

The spokesperson said the PCT board was considering “all options” including submitting a new CRtB, which gives the community a window to raise the necessary funds to counter any offer from an interested developer.

They added: “It firmly believes that development of this important site should reflect the economic and social significance of its location and continue to contribute to the sustainability and resilience of Peebles.”

The PCT’s vision for the land includes a managed care facility, as well as “truly affordable” flats and apartments.

The 5.5 acre site – which lies 300 yards north of Peebles High Street – has been disused since the two businesses located there were closed In December 2015.

Aspirations of townsfolk for the land include housing, maintaining existing allotments, light industrial use, landscaped public areas, a potential whisky distillery and some community ownership.

Moorbrook Textiles and the Scottish Government have been approached for comment.