20 March 2008

Newtown St Boswells

The Scottish Borders Council today approved the inclusion of approximately 50ha of land, which is currently under option to Elphinstone, in the Local Plan. This plan is likely to be adopted after a statutory 28 day period, which will begin in the next few days.

Elphinstone promoted the land through the Local Plan Inquiry which was held at the end of 2006 and the Scottish Government Reporters to the inquiry largely accepted Elphinstone's proposals for the land, which lies to the south of Newtown St Boswells.

Elphinstone looks forward to developing a masterplan for the site, in cooperation with the local community and the Council. The provision of some 500 houses will help to meet the ever increasing need for housing in the Borders, including affordable housing and will help to improve and regenerate the village itself. This additional housing will also help to fund the return of the Borders Railway by 2013 and the line, which terminates only a few miles away at Tweedbank, will help to make this a sustainable community.

The development will lie between Newtown St Boswells and St Boswells and will be developed in a way which will respect the sensitivity and high quality of the surrounding landscapes.

Elphinstone Chief Executive Ken Ross said "We are looking forward to engaging with the local community and the Council to ensure that this development will be one of high quality, sustainable housing which will meet the needs and aspirations of housebuyers and the local community. This is an extremely attractive site, in a beautiful setting and we are determined that our development will be of a high standard of design and specification."