Housing plans approved on site of demolished church

Plans for a new affordable housing development on the site of a demolished Victorian church in Galashiels have been approved by Scottish Borders Council (SBC).

The scheme will see two residential blocks built at Gala Park, providing four houses and 15 flats.

The development on the former St Aidan's site was given the go-ahead despite objections from nearby residents over concerns including increased traffic and loss of privacy.

Developers said changes had been made to reduce the height of the main building in response to issues raised during the planning process.

Permission to demolish the 19th Century church and adjoining hall was granted in 2018 after councillors concluded conversion proposals were not financially viable, with the buildings later being cleared.

The latest application from Eildon Housing Association is similar to plans submitted in 2022 for 20 homes, although the height of the main block has been reduced.

In his report approving the scheme, SBC lead planning officer Carlos Clarke said the plans struck a reasonable balance between ensuring the development was high quality but remained economically viable.

However, some local residents were opposed to the plans and said the buildings were "significantly higher" than the current building line.

One said that would have a detrimental effect on light into their property especially their garden in the summer months.

The original church opened in 1880 as the South United Presbyterian Church.

The adjoining halls, designed by architects Lorimer & Matthew and completed in 1939, were later designated a category B listed building.

The church closed in 2005 after its congregation merged with St Ninian's, and the site was eventually sold and demolished around 2019.

Reporting by Paul Kelly of the local democracy service.