THERE are hopes that a new housing development at Stichill, just north of Kelso, will be able to include open space for children to play.
Eildon Housing was recently granted planning consent to build eight affordable houses on land near to Stuart Park, but Scottish Borders councillor Tom Weatherston says it is important that youngsters belonging to families which will occupy the new homes have somewhere to play.
“I am keen for the council, Eildon Housing and the local community to continue discussions in trying to provide some open space for older children to play and kick a ball in the village,” he said this week. “It is good that there will be eight affordable houses available in the village, but we must provide somewhere for the children of these families as well as all the other kids in the village to play.
“We have already had talks with all parties about this problem and I am hopeful we can work together and provide some level open space for the community and for kids to be able to have a kick around safely without the worry of traffic.”
The site for the new houses is currently agricultural land and the new homes will be constructed in four blocks of semi-detached units, almost perpendicular to Ednam Road.
All the properties will be made available as rented affordable housing. The local community council has always been in favour of the project, provided there was a recreational area for children included.
Community councillors supported an increase in house numbers from six to eight on the basis a recreational area was considered as part of the development.
The application received approval at a meeting of SBC planning and building standards committee earlier this month, but there were 11 conditions attached, including stipulations over the retention of existing trees and hedges.