Bid for flats complex at former church in Coldstream gets blessing from council

Six flats, ranging from two bedrooms to four bedrooms over three storeys, are to be formed at the Eildon Centre in Victoria Street – which was also once home to a cinema.

Despite some regret expressed at the loss of a social centre and licensed premises in Coldstream, members of Scottish Borders Council’s Planning & Building Standards Committee unanimously approved the application, particularly due to the urgent need for new homes locally after SBC declared a ‘housing emergency’.

SNP Mid-Berwickshire councillor Donald Moffat, a member of the planning committee, has owned and run the venue since 1988 and decided to sell as he prepares for his retirement.

Mr Moffat did not participate in the debate on the conversion bid and stepped out of the council chamber while it was considered by members.

Coun Neil Richards said: “Very nice to see a church-style building been brought back into some sort of productive use and bringing people back into the centre of Coldstream.”

Coun Sandy Scott added: “We have a housing emergency and here is six new flats being built, so I’m all for it.”

The development includes external alterations to the existing window and door openings, as well as the reinstatement of the original church window openings and the formation of new window openings.

Rooflights are be installed to the north-west and south-east roof slopes and any external equipment and signage required for the existing use will be removed.

Speaking before the meeting, Coun Moffat said: “There have been people in the past who were considering putting in 12 or 15 flats and I didn’t consider that was good for the area, and at that time I was still enjoying running it as a bar and function room.

“But time has gone on and as we have got older myself and my wife are just basically planning ahead for when the time comes to retire.”