A DECISION on a long-running bid to convert a derelict Borders farm building known locally as the ‘Blue House’ into a family home has been deferred.

A planning bid submitted to Scottish Borders Council (SBC) for the conversion and extension of a former agricultural store located near Swansfield Farm at Reston in Eyemouth into a “sustainable, off-grid dwelling house”, incorporating a 17.8m high wind turbine, was refused in August last year – despite a community rallying in support.

Dubbed the ‘Blue House’, the structure was a dwelling house in the 19th century before being converted for agricultural use, although now it is in a state of disrepair.

An appeal against that refusal came before SBC’s Local Review Body when it met on Monday (January 22).

But members decided to defer a final decision for officers to consider a bat survey that had not been previously available.

Committee chair Simon Mountford, a Kelso councillor, said: “I think we need to take into consideration the bat survey because ecological surveys are important.”