Borders village is divided over new house plan

Members of the council’s local review body this week agreed to visit Kirk Yetholm to help them make a decision over an application to flatten a garage at Clifton Cottage on the High Street and for a new home to be built on the site.

Opinion on the development has been mixed, some claiming it is out of character with a conservation area because of its height and with concerns also over the loss of off-street parking and green space.

However, the proposal has also garnered letters of support stating that the development would improve a currently untidy site.

The plan also divided opinion when the local review body met via video-link to consider the application yesterday, Monday, August 17.

East Berwickshire councillor Helen Laing said: “My main concern is the scale of this development and I think it would have an impact on the conservation area and character of the village.”

Tweeddale west councillor Eric Small said: “This is a gap site and with conditions I think a house could fit in here quite nicely and match with surrounding properties.”

East Berwickshire ward councillor Jim Fullerton said: “The challenge for us is does this enhance or improve. Frankly, the garages are of little architectural merit. We have seen the community maybe split in the middle and we need to have a close look at this, particularly with the green space overlooking the Cheviots. These are difficult decisions to make sitting here and zooming. I suggest a site visit so we can have a real feeling for the place.”