A BID by a booming Borders country estate to install a ticket booth, access gates and overflow car park has raised the hackles of some locals who fear being “locked out”.

Historic Bowhill House in Selkirk has enjoyed a significant increase in visitors to the estate in recent times.

But a rise in the number of visitors parking outside the designated parking areas within the estate is damaging the grounds and has raised safety concerns and, at times, can block access to emergency vehicle routes.

A planning application has been submitted to Scottish Borders Council by Buccleuch Estates Limited seeking consent for the erection of a ticket booth, access gates and the formation of an overflow car park a short distance from the main gates to the estate.

The ticket booth would be located on a small, grassed island at the junction of Duchess’s Drive.

There are six objections to the application with concerns regarding the rights of access to the estate for walking, cycling and horse riding, impacts on rights of way, access to the existing car park being impeded and the implications for out of season access.

One objector labelled the bid “an opportunity to increase estate income at the expense to Borders residents”.

But when members of the council’s Planning and Building Standards Committee meet on Monday, September 5, they will be recommended to approve the application, subject to certain conditions being met.

In his report to the committee, council officer Barry Fotheringham concluded: “The proposed fence, gates and ticket booth are clearly designed to manage traffic in and out of the estate during busy periods when there will be a large number of visitors arriving by car.

“Out of hours and out of season access to the estate was discussed with the applicant and they have confirmed that access to the estate for members of the public who wish to exercise their right of responsible access would be maintained.

“The intention of the gates and ticket booth is to safely manage traffic numbers and movements within the estate, particularly during busy peak periods, such as summer and Easter when visitor numbers are much higher.

“The proposed overflow car park would continue to allow for out of hours parking to the estate when the main vehicular gates are closed but concerns have been raised that the gates to this car park will be locked, preventing visitors from parking safely.

“This is a concern shared by officers and a simple planning condition – should the application be approved – requiring the gates to remain open (closed but unlocked) will ensure safe parking arrangements for out of hours and out of season visitors, when the gates are closed.”