A GALASHIELS councillor has paid tribute following the sudden death of a local campaigner.

Norman Young, one of the main objectors to the application for a £4.8m waste transfer site at Easter Langlee, passed away at the age of 66 on Saturday, November 11.

Mr Young, who lived near the site, highlighted the dangers posed by the granting of the application to the Planning Committee along with John Birnie, chairman of the Coopersknowe Residents Association.

The Border Telegraph has previously reported on the long-running saga, including the news that permission was given the green-light earlier this month.

Since then, Harry Scott, councillor for Galashiels and District (Ind), hit out at the decision made by the Planning and Building Standards Committee to ignore the objections raised by local residents and Galashiels Community Council, and grant the planning application made by SBC.

After hearing the news that Mr Young had passed away, Harry said: "I did not know Mr. Young very well, and only spoke to him on one or two occasions about the planning application for the waste transfer site.

"My impression of him was that he was a very intelligent individual and he spoke with passion and intelligence at the planning meeting which considered the application for the establishment of the waste transfer station.

"I was quite upset when I was told that he had died."