Bid underway to save Peebles mill for economic use

Community leaders in Peebles want to set up a task group to try to find a use for a historic textile mill '“ and are determined that the site will not be used for housing.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Jan 2016, 06:00 BST
Updated 25th Jan 2016, 15:24 BST
March Street Mills in Peebles closed at the end of the year with the loss of 87 jobs.. Picture: Kimberley PowellMarch Street Mills in Peebles closed at the end of the year with the loss of 87 jobs.. Picture: Kimberley Powell
March Street Mills in Peebles closed at the end of the year with the loss of 87 jobs.. Picture: Kimberley Powell

March Street Mill, which was first in use in 1884, closed at the end of the year with the loss of 87 jobs.

Peebles Community Council planning chairman Crick Carleton said: “No-one seems upset at the loss of the mill with the loss of jobs and we really need to maintain interest and focus on local opportunities.

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“What happens to the mill is material to the town and we should form a task group to look at what can and can’t be done.

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“The Civic Trust would be minded to take it forward by getting a number of parties together.”

Tweeddale East councillor Keith Cockburn said: “It’s not fair to say everything’s gone quiet and it would be great to see the site retained as employment land.”

Tweeddale West councillor Stuart Bell said the site was designated as employment land and that it would have to would have to have a designated change of use – unlikely to be granted by the council – if houses were to be built.

But councillor Lawrie Hayworth warned: “Anybody’s who got enough money could buy it and sit on it if they don’t want it for economic use.”