Plans for 64 homes in Eyemouth could face environmental hurdle
Plans for 64 new homes in Eyemouth may need to clear an environmental hurdle before getting the green light.
The Berwickshire Housing Association (BHA) wants to build the homes on land north west of Acredale Industrial Estate.
Additionally, BHA plans to build a new office building to house its staff on the site.
The site lies on the western edge of Eyemouth, adjacent to existing residential neighbourhoods. It comprises an open, sloping greenfield parcel extending to approximately 3.48 hectares.
Scottish Borders Council has already approved a pre-application consultation statement from the applicant.
Now, a request for a Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening opinion has been submitted to the council.
A screening opinion is a formal written decision from a local planning authority stating whether a proposed development project requires an EIA.
It evaluates whether a project is likely to cause significant environmental effects based on its size, design, and location.
The submission states: “The proposal is a low-rise social housing development comprising one and two-storey dwellings, all with private gardens – together with a new office building for use by BHA, associated landscaping and car park – and it is classified as a major development.
“The site comprises an open, sloping greenfield parcel extending to approximately 3.48 hectares. It is bounded to the east by affordable housing and to the north, west and south by open agricultural land.
The development proposes approximately 64 affordable homes – comprising 54 houses and 10 cottage flats.
The proposals do not involve any building demolition; however, ground works and the removal of existing shrubbery will be required to accommodate the housing layout and proposed site levels.