Concerns over flooding at Selkirk site fail to deter developer

Six new homes could be on the way in Selkirk after councillors, undeterred by a flood risk objection, gave the go-ahead for the development in principle this week.
Ettrickhaugh Road, Selkirk, the proposed site for six houses.Ettrickhaugh Road, Selkirk, the proposed site for six houses.
Ettrickhaugh Road, Selkirk, the proposed site for six houses.

Kelso firm Moyle Land and Development wants to build those family homes on a vacant 1.8-acre site near the town’s cricket and rugby grounds in Ettrickhaugh Road.

Scottish Borders Council’s planning and building standards committee backed the plans on Monday, but the application also has to be approved by Scottish Government ministers due to an objection by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

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It believes that as the land is on a flood plain, no building should be allowed there.

That view isn’t shared by the local authority, though.

Planning officer Barry Fotheringham said: “SEPA has objected to the plans on the basis of flood risk, but our flood officers are happy it is suitably protected by the Selkirk flood protection scheme.

“It’s considered that SEPA has not given due consideration to the benefits of that scheme.”

Agent Tim Ferguson, of Galashiels consultant Ferguson Planning, believes the site is at a one-in-200 risk of flooding.

“It’s an ideal infill development,” he said.

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“It is on low-quality land set aside for housing with the local development plan.

“I was disappointed to read SEPA’s comments. They do not appear to have read the council officers’ reports.

“The site is set aside for development and allows long-overdue building of new homes in the Borders.

“There have been no issues with flooding in this area and it has not flooded in living memory.”

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In 1995, a previous bid to build eight houses there was thrown out on the basis of flood risk there despite the land being set aside for housing. River defences costing £31m have been built since, however, with that work being completed in 2017.

Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton added: “It’s obviously a very attractive site in Selkirk. It is benefiting from the flood defences, and even before it had never flooded.

“While SEPA objects, God has thrown everything bar the kitchen sink at us lately in terms of flooding, and the areas without defences yet, like Hawick, have been flooded, but not Selkirk.

“SEPA’s objection to me is quite sad because I don’t think they have taken into account the investment and commitment we have made to preventing flooding in Selkirk.”

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The agency maintains that the site does not meets its requirements and says its position is “unlikely to change”.

A dozen objections were received in advance of Monday’s decision, citing flooding, loss of privacy, overcrowding, environmental impact and road safety.

In response to the last concern, the developer has agreed to carry out road-widening measures.

Galashiels councillor Andy Anderson added: “I have certain reservations as some of the residents’ objections seem to be about the road and the footway.

“This seems to be a way of addressing these concerns and improving safety.”

“The fact that the recent adverse weather didn’t affect this area shows that the flood protection scheme is doing its job.”