The Local Review Body considered three appeals against planning application refusals. Two appeals, concerning the conversion of a barn into a dwelling at Kerndean Farm and the erection of a residential studio and garage at Greenhouse Farm Cottage, were dismissed, upholding the original officer decisions. The third appeal, for the erection of a garage at Belses Cottage, was allowed, overturning the officer's refusal.

Conversion of Barn at Kerndean Farmhouse, Newcastleton

The Local Review Body upheld the appointed officer's decision to refuse planning permission for the change of use of a barn, alterations, and extension to form a dwellinghouse at the Barn Southwest of Kerndean Farmhouse, Kerndean Farm, Newcastleton. The primary reasons for refusal centred on the lack of a structural survey to prove the barn's capability for conversion, the proposed extensions being out of keeping with the scale and character of the existing building, and concerns regarding road safety due to substandard access visibility. Councillors Marshall Douglas, Sandy Scott, Eric Small, Donald Moffat, and Neil Richards all expressed agreement with the officer's assessment, highlighting the scale of the proposed extensions as being tantamount to building a new house rather than converting an existing structure. Councillor Viv Thomson also agreed, stating that the scale of the extension was the overriding sticking point. Councillor Scott was the sole dissenting voice, suggesting the development was an exciting development and that someone was prepared to spend their own money on it, referencing a housing emergency.

Erection of Residential Studio and Garage at Greenhouse Farm Cottage, Melrose

The Local Review Body upheld the appointed officer's decision to refuse planning permission for the erection of a residential studio and garage ancillary to the main dwellinghouse on land west of Greenhouse Farm Cottage, Melrose. The refusal was based on the development being located outwith the residential curtilage, constituting unsustainable development on greenfield land, and having a poor relationship with the existing dwelling and rural area due to its siting, scale, and design. Councillors Viv Thomson, Sandy Scott, Marshall Douglas, Eric Small, and Neil Richards all supported upholding the officer's decision, agreeing that the proposal was on greenfield land, lacked policy support, and was out of character with the existing property. Councillor Scott explicitly stated the application was contrary to Policy 9 of the National Planning Framework 4 and Policy PMD1 of the Local Development Plan.

Erection of Garage at Belses Cottage, Jedburgh

The Local Review Body overturned the appointed officer's decision and granted planning permission for the erection of a garage on land north and northeast of Belses Cottage, Jedburgh. The appeal was allowed, despite the Roads Planning Service's objection regarding road safety and the site being considered greenfield land. The Local Review Body noted that this site had previously been granted planning permission in principle for a dwellinghouse by the same body under appeal reference 23/00015/RREF. They reasoned that if the access and site were deemed acceptable for a dwellinghouse, they should also be acceptable for an ancillary garage. The LRB concluded that traffic volumes were low and the addition of traffic associated with a garage would not present a significant road safety issue. Councillor Neil Richards supported the application, stating he was inclined to grant permission and did not believe the access problem was significant. The decision was made subject to conditions regarding the detailed design of the access, parking, and visibility splays.