£1m development raises concern over High Street parking

Monday’s Selkirk Community Council meeting discussed the proposals for the former Co-operative store site at the junction between High Street and Chapel Street, known locally as Poets’ Corner.

The derelict building, empty for the last 10 years, would be demolished to make way for a new 10-flat block under the proposals now being put forward. The community council’s planning spokesman, Ian King, said: “It is an eyesore, and any improvement to it should be really welcomed.

“There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes, and unfortunately the property cannot be saved.”

However, allocated car parking could be limited to three parking bays on the High Street, just three metres from the Sainsbury’s shop entrance.

Selkirkshire councillor Gordon Edgar expressed his concern saying: “A lay-by will be used by people to go shopping.”

He added: “They could put the parking at the space at the back of the building.”

With regard to the potential relocation of the parking, he did not see there being a challenge and said: “There will be a way of getting round it.”

That discussion also raised concerns over a lack of police and traffic warden presence in the town centre.

Community councillor Alisdaire Lockhart said: “As there are no police cars in the area, they could use the car park at the police station.”

In a bid to save the building from demolition, the Selkirk conservation regeneration scheme offered £60,000 towards repairs, but the building was deemed too costly to save.