Plans being drawn up for 80 affordable homes on outskirts of Galashiels

The field next to Hillside Drive in Galashiels lined up to host phase one of the development.

That proposed development on farmland off Hillside Drive, to be called Buckholm Corner, would be built in two phases, and separate planning applications have been put in for each of them, one at the end of last month, as reported in the Southern, and the other earlier this month.

One is to update proposals for 11 houses already given the thumbs-up back in 1979 but never built, and the other is for up to 69 further properties to their north.

Edinburgh-based developer Buckholm is planning to build both sets of homes on behalf of Eildon Housing Association.

Offering two to four bedrooms, they would be accessed from the A7 Edinburgh-Carlisle road.

It’s only submitted a proposal of application notice for the second set of proposals as yet and is holding a public consultation event before proceeding to follow that up with a more detailed request for planning consent.

Due to the current coronavirus lockdown, that consultation will take place online only, via a dedicated website, buckholmcorner.com, and it’s being held next Thursday, June 4, between 4pm and 8pm

Comments can be submitted by members of the public until Friday, June 26. For details, call 0131 202 3259 or email [email protected]

Buckholm spokesperson Steven Garry said: “We’re excited about putting forward our proposals to the community and look forward to its feedback, which will help shape the proposed development as we move towards a planning application.

“There is a clear need for affordable housing in Galashiels, and the involvement of Eildon Housing Association will help support Scottish Borders Council in meeting its defined housing targets.

“We hope as many people as possible can come online and engage with us, but for those that cannot, we have provided alternatives that will ensure that no one is excluded from this process.”

Nile Istephan, chief executive of Selkirk-based Eildon Housing Association, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for a designated housing site which has lain vacant for a significant number of years.

“It will be a welcome addition to Galashiels.

“Affordable homes for the people in the Borders continues to be a critical need, particularly at this time, so we are really pleased that we are now at this stage in the process.

“We look forward to working with, and hearing views from, the local community as the proposals develop and to continue to deliver inclusive growth for our region.”

The fields being eyed up by Buckholm to host its proposed development are earmarked for housing in Scottish Borders Council’s current local development plan.