Garages approved for controversial Minto homes

Scottish Borders Council’s planning committee approved plans to change the design of the houses currently under construction in Minto at its meeting on Monday.

Applicant Sally Haw was granted permission for two five-bedroom homes south-west of West Lodge last year, despite overwhelming opposition in the village.

The latest application sought to change the house type previously approved by adding integrated garages to the front of the properties, extending their footprint by 35 square metres.

However, councillors heard that the garages had been included by builders from the start.

Speaking on behalf of Denholm Community Council and the Minto residents, William Roberts told the meeting: “The developer started digging foundations soon after approval and local residents noted that the foundations were being dug further forward than shown on the plan.

“It subsequently turned out the so-called forward foundations were in fact for the integral garages which are the subject of the variation under consideration here.

“It’s clear from the very start of work that the developer did not intend to stick to his original application plan.”

A report by planning officer Brett Taylor concluded that the amendments were acceptable.

Mr Roberts said: “We are frankly amazed that the chief planning officer in his report simply regards the developer’s actions as ‘regrettable’ and is prepared to allow the project to proceed with absolutely no redress at all.”

East Berwickshire councillor Helen Laing Laing said the developers’ were “a bit cheeky”, but added: “We are where we are. I do think there’s space for it and will reluctantly support the officers.”

Neil Richards, councillor for Hawick and Denholm, agreed. He said: “On balance I can support the planning for the garages. It has left a bad taste in my mouth but I think we have to make progress and get past this.”

But Galashiels councillor Andy Anderson said that the garages “changed the whole proportion of the building”.

“To me it doesn’t follow in the spirit of the discussions we had in the last meeting, and we did have quite a big debate on size and how it linked with the land and proportions,” he said.

Mid Berwickshire councillor Donald Moffat said the extensions should be refused. “In the past if somebody started and did something without permission, they were made to take it down,” he said.

“I think it’s unacceptable that a developer can just go ahead and do what they want and put a concrete base in. It undermines the system.

“I think it’s over development and the garages shouldn’t be allowed.”

Tweeddale West councillor Eric Small said the developer should be made to remove the foundations already in place for the garages. “It’s a breach of all the regulations,” he said.

The application was approved by five votes to three.