Former Peter Scott factory in Hawick in line for conversion after privacy fears allayed

A three-storey flats complex has been given the go-ahead after fears for nearby residents’ privacy were allayed.
How flats proposed at the old Peter Scott mill in Hawick would look.How flats proposed at the old Peter Scott mill in Hawick would look.
How flats proposed at the old Peter Scott mill in Hawick would look.

An application to convert part of the former Peter Scott factory in Hawick into 10 flats was approved last year, but changes to its design by the developer involved, including a new balcony access, sparked objections from six Teries living near the Buccleuch Street building.

Scottish Borders Council’s planning and building standards committee reassessed the application on Monday and heard from one resident fearful that his privacy would be compromised.

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“We are pleased to see that this building is being converted for residential use, but there are one or two things that we would like to see considered,” said Bertram Lancaster, a resident of Buccleuch Terrace for 55 years.

“The first application had balconies looking right in to our bedroom. This second application shows no change to that. Why were these not addressed in the second application?”

Mr Lancaster also took exception to a proposal for filling in and painting black 18 large windows along the south side of the building.

“This would be most inappropriate,” he added.

“It could make the building look derelict from that side.

“It would be mush easier to meet all the objections by having the infill on the inside of the window.”

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Sympathetic to his pleas, the planning committee, agreed it would like to see screening attached to the two juliet-style balconies on the south-east end of the building.

It also said that the south-facing windows and openings should preferrably not be blacked out from the outside.

A further complaint over how during bad winters snow gathers on the roof before falling into neighbouring gardens was also taken on board, with suggestions made that a plea for snow barriers to be put up be made.

Hawick and Denholm councillor Clair Ramage agreed with both suggestions, saying: “I am so pleased to see to see a mill being developed.

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“We have lost so many in Hawick, some of which were architecturally outstanding.

“I agree that there should be a condition insisting upon some kind of screening for the juliet-style balconies and an directive put in place about snow boards for the roof.

“I have been round many of the mills and they are not very well insulated. It seems like once it’s developed, it will mean more snow is retained on the roof, which will cause more problems.”

Galashiels councillor Andy Anderson added: “I like to see mill buildings being used.

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“Other parts of the country are doing it, so I’m pleased to see a development like this in the Borders.

“It’s not the prettiest mill building architecturally, but it served its purpose in its place and the time.

“I do think, though, we need to be very careful from an aesthetics point of view over what we add on to these old buildings.

“The more that’s added on to a building like this the less we see of its original function.”

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That concern aside, the application, submitted by Galashiels-based Aitken Turnbull Architects on behalf of Pesco Developments, an offshoot of Maramar Holdings, the West Yorkshire company that bought the site in July 2017, was once again approved by councillors on condition that changes be made to the two balconies that overlook Buccleuch Terrace to ensure residents’ privacy.

A third change to the planning application, the creation of ground-floor shared or common under-croft parking and storage area, raised no objections from the committee or officers.

The Peter Scott factory closed in August 2016 after operating for almost 150 years and has stood empty since, becoming a target for vandals.