Apartment plans for former Hawick knitwear factory are submitted to Scottish Borders Council

Plans have been revealed for the latest residential redevelopment of the former Peter Scott factory, which closed in August 2016 after operating for 150 years.

Stage by stage the ex-knitwear factory in Buccleuch Street is being converted into housing accommodation.

It was back in March 2019 that planning approval was granted to convert part of its production area and yarn store to make way for two-bedroom apartments for older people.

Then in July last year the green light was given to demolish various single-storey buildings within the centre of the complex, mainly former knitting and weaving sheds to improve access and enable future development.

But the applicant, Galashiels-based Pesco Developments, pledged to retain significant elements of the site, including its landmark chimney.

Now a new bid has been submitted to Scottish Borders Council for the conversion of the old engineers workshop at 9 to 11 Buccleuch Street into five apartments.

In a design statement submitted with the application, a spokesperson for the applicant's agent, Galashiels-based Aitken Turnbill Architects, says: "Inspections of the building have been carried out and identified rapid deterioration of the existing fabric.

"Recently our client took on the ownership of the former engineers workshop with the view to improve and re-instate it. Many of the window frames are in poor condition and there are damp patches and algal on the masonry.

"Our proposed conservation provides high quality residential flats that are considered the most appropriate use of the building."

The aim is to retain the original character of the building, with the development "entirely sympathetic to the original building and surroundings".

The report adds: "Our proposals carefully consider the character of the building and surrounding setting. In principle, we believe we have identified the best use of the building that offers a full restoration of the existing fabric.”

The work will include the structural reinforcement of the former workshop.