The Local Review Body considered three planning appeals, ultimately upholding the council's refusal for an agricultural storage shed with a games room near Grantshouse, but overturning refusals for a dwellinghouse at Hassendean Station and for two new dwellings at Hume. The Body also decided to uphold the council's refusal for a boundary fence at Thorniedean House in Galashiels.

Agricultural Storage Shed and Games Room Refused at Grantshouse

The Local Review Body upheld the council's decision to refuse retrospective planning permission for an agricultural storage shed with a games room on land south of Thistle Garden, Grantshouse. Councillors agreed with the appointed officer's assessment that the siting, scale, and materials of the dark grey metal-clad structure were out of keeping with the rural character of the area and detracted from the visual amenity of neighbouring properties. Despite the applicant's willingness to reclad the building in timber and provide landscaping, the majority of councillors felt the structure's industrial appearance and its proximity to the neighbouring property, The Coverage, were contrary to policies on rural development, placemaking, and residential amenity. Councillor Neil Richards was the sole dissenting voice, suggesting the building was not out of keeping given other modern structures in the area.

Dwellinghouse Approved at Hassendean Station

In a split decision, the Local Review Body overturned the council's refusal of planning permission for a dwellinghouse at Hassendean Station, Minto, near Hawick. The original refusal was based on the design and form of the proposed dwelling, which drew inspiration from a railway goods wagon with a curved zinc roof and charred timber walls, being considered unsympathetic to the prevailing built form of traditional pitched-roof dwellings within the group. However, a majority of councillors felt the design was a clever take on heritage and that, with no objections from the community and substantial screening by hedging, it would not be overbearing. Councillor Richards proposed overturning the officer's decision, stating it was a lovely development, and was seconded by Councillor Eric Small. Councillor Viv Thomson and Councillor Marshall Douglas supported the officer's recommendation to uphold the refusal, citing concerns about the design's compatibility with the area's character. Ultimately, the amendment to overturn the officer's decision was carried by four votes to three.

Dwellinghouse Approved at Burnbrae Farm Cottages

The Local Review Body overturned the council's refusal of planning permission for a dwellinghouse and new access on land north of Burnbrae Farm Cottages, Nenthorn. The original refusal cited concerns about backland development, its relationship to the existing building group, and its prominence in the landscape. However, councillors were persuaded by arguments that the revised proposal, which removed a previously proposed garage and repositioned the house, was a more modest design that better reflected the rural context and existing development patterns. Councillor Sandy Scott, who had initially agreed with the officers, changed his mind, stating the applicant had made a real effort to make the plans acceptable. Councillor Donald Moffat also supported overturning the decision, noting the checkered history of the site and that this was the best I've seen so far. The decision was unanimous, with councillors agreeing that the applicant had worked around the site's constraints and that the dwelling would read as part of the building group.

Boundary Fence Refused at Thorniedean House

The Local Review Body upheld the council's refusal of retrospective planning permission for a 1.8-metre high timber boundary fence at Thorniedean House, Galashiels. Councillors agreed with the appointed officer and the council's Heritage and Design Officer that the fence's prominent siting, height, and design were inappropriate and harmful to the setting of the C-listed building and the streetscape of Melrose Road. While acknowledging the applicant's stated need for security, the majority felt that a more sympathetic boundary treatment was necessary. Councillor Thomson proposed upholding the officer's decision, citing the fence's stark appearance and the fact that temporary solutions like hedging would take years to mature. Councillor Moffat suggested levelling the posts, but this was not considered sufficient to overcome the fundamental design and siting issues. The amendment to overturn the officer's decision was lost, with three votes to uphold the officer's decision and four votes to overturn.

Two Dwellinghouses Approved at Hume

The Local Review Body overturned the council's refusal of planning permission in principle for two dwellinghouses on land north of Hareheugh View, Hume. The original refusal cited concerns about the development expanding the village beyond its natural limits, resulting in ribbon development, disproportionately large plots, and eroding the sense of place. However, councillors were persuaded by arguments that the site was a natural extension of the village's linear pattern and that previous permissions for development on the site, although lapsed, indicated a precedent. Councillor Donald Moffat, who had initially supported the officer's refusal, changed his mind, stating that the community council's view had nailed it and that the dry stone dike and planting provided a clear boundary. Councillor Simon Mountford, Chair of the meeting, noted the total agreement among councillors to uphold the officer's decision, which was to refuse the application. However, the final vote saw the amendment to overturn the officer's decision carried by four votes to three. The decision to overturn included the requirement for the posts to be levelled to create a uniform fence line and for the colour of the fence to be agreed with the appointed officer.

Dwellinghouse Refused at Hassendean Station

The council's refusal of planning permission for a dwellinghouse at Hassendean Station, Minto, was upheld by the Local Review Body. The refusal was based on the design and form of the proposed dwelling, which drew inspiration from a railway goods wagon with a curved zinc seam roof and charred timber walls. Councillors agreed with the appointed officer that this design was utilitarian and failed to respect the prevailing built form characterised by traditional pitched roofs. Councillor Viv Thomson supported the officer's recommendation, stating the design was too far removed from the properties that are there. Councillor Marshall Douglas also agreed with the officer, describing the design as sticking out like a sore thumb. While Councillor Neil Richards and Councillor Sandy Scott supported overturning the officer's decision, citing the applicant's design efforts and the site's railway heritage, the majority view was to uphold the refusal.

Dwellinghouse and New Access Approved at Burnbrae Farm Cottages

The Local Review Body overturned the council's refusal of planning permission for a dwellinghouse and new access on land north of Burnbrae Farm Cottages, Nenthorn. The original refusal cited concerns about backland development, its relationship to the existing building group, and its prominence in the landscape. However, councillors were persuaded by arguments that the revised proposal, which removed a previously proposed garage and repositioned the house, was a more modest design that better reflected the rural context and existing development patterns. Councillor Sandy Scott, who had initially agreed with the officers, changed his mind, stating the applicant had made a real effort to make the plans acceptable. Councillor Donald Moffat also supported overturning the decision, noting the checkered history of the site and that this was the best I've seen so far. The decision was unanimous, with councillors agreeing that the applicant had worked around the site's constraints and that the dwelling would read as part of the building group.

Agricultural Storage Shed and Games Room Refused at Grantshouse

The Local Review Body upheld the council's decision to refuse retrospective planning permission for an agricultural storage shed with a games room on land south of Thistle Garden, Grantshouse. Councillors agreed with the appointed officer's assessment that the siting, scale, and materials of the dark grey metal-clad structure were out of keeping with the rural character of the area and detracted from the visual amenity of neighbouring properties. Despite the applicant's willingness to reclad the building in timber and provide landscaping, the majority of councillors felt the structure's industrial appearance and its proximity to the neighbouring property, The Coverage, were contrary to policies on rural development, placemaking, and residential amenity. Councillor Neil Richards was the sole dissenting voice, suggesting the building was not out of keeping given other modern structures in the area.

Boundary Fence Refused at Thorniedean House

The Local Review Body upheld the council's refusal of retrospective planning permission for a 1.8-metre high timber boundary fence at Thorniedean House, Galashiels. Councillors agreed with the appointed officer and the council's Heritage and Design Officer that the fence's prominent siting, height, and design were inappropriate and harmful to the setting of the C-listed building and the streetscape of Melrose Road. While acknowledging the applicant's stated need for security, the majority felt that a more sympathetic boundary treatment was necessary. Councillor Donald Moffat suggested levelling the posts, but this was not considered sufficient to overcome the fundamental design and siting issues. The amendment to overturn the officer's decision was lost, with three votes to uphold the officer's decision and four votes to overturn.

Two Dwellinghouses Approved at Hume

The Local Review Body overturned the council's refusal of planning permission in principle for two dwellinghouses on land north of Hareheugh View, Hume. The original refusal cited concerns about the development expanding the village beyond its natural limits, resulting in ribbon development, disproportionately large plots, and eroding the sense of place. However, councillors were persuaded by arguments that the site was a natural extension of the village's linear pattern and that previous permissions for development on the site, although lapsed, indicated a precedent. Councillor Donald Moffat, who had initially supported the officer's refusal, changed his mind, stating that the community council's view had nailed it and that the dry stone dike and planting provided a clear boundary. Councillor Simon Mountford, Chair of the meeting, noted the total agreement among councillors to uphold the officer's decision, which was to refuse the application. However, the final vote saw the amendment to overturn the officer's decision carried by four votes to three. The decision to overturn included the requirement for the posts to be levelled to create a uniform fence line and for the colour of the fence to be agreed with the appointed officer.

Dwellinghouse Refused at Hassendean Station

The council's refusal of planning permission for a dwellinghouse at Hassendean Station, Minto, was upheld by the Local Review Body. The refusal was based on the design and form of the proposed dwelling, which drew inspiration from a railway goods wagon with a curved zinc seam roof and charred timber walls. Councillors agreed with the appointed officer that this design was utilitarian and failed to respect the prevailing built form characterised by traditional pitched roofs. Councillor Viv Thomson supported the officer's recommendation, stating the design was too far removed from the properties that are there. Councillor Marshall Douglas also agreed with the officer, describing the design as sticking out like a sore thumb. While Councillor Neil Richards and Councillor Sandy Scott supported overturning the officer's decision, citing the applicant's design efforts and the site's railway heritage, the majority view was to uphold the refusal.

Dwellinghouse and New Access Approved at Burnbrae Farm Cottages

The Local Review Body overturned the council's refusal of planning permission for a dwellinghouse and new access on land north of Burnbrae Farm Cottages, Nenthorn. The original refusal cited concerns about backland development, its relationship to the existing building group, and its prominence in the landscape. However, councillors were persuaded by arguments that the revised proposal, which removed a previously proposed garage and repositioned the house, was a more modest design that better reflected the rural context and existing development patterns. Councillor Sandy Scott, who had initially agreed with the officers, changed his mind, stating the applicant had made a real effort to make the plans acceptable. Councillor Donald Moffat also supported overturning the decision, noting the checkered history of the site and that this was the best I've seen so far. The decision was unanimous, with councillors agreeing that the applicant had worked around the site's constraints and that the dwelling would read as part of the building group.

Agricultural Storage Shed and Games Room Refused at Grantshouse

The Local Review Body upheld the council's decision to refuse retrospective planning permission for an agricultural storage shed with a games room on land south of Thistle Garden, Grantshouse. Councillors agreed with the appointed officer's assessment that the siting, scale, and materials of the dark grey metal-clad structure were out of keeping with the rural character of the area and detracted from the visual amenity of neighbouring properties. Despite the applicant's willingness to reclad the building in timber and provide landscaping, the majority of councillors felt the structure's industrial appearance and its proximity to the neighbouring property, The Coverage, were contrary to policies on rural development, placemaking, and residential amenity. Councillor Neil Richards was the sole dissenting voice, suggesting the building was not out of keeping given other modern structures in the area.