The much anticipated Planning Permission in Principle (PPiP) for Newtown St Boswells Mart, has been submitted to Scottish Borders Council.

The plans, which were met with considerable approval from the farming community, are based on the redesign of the auction mart facilities, and an accompanying outline for the regeneration of other land owned by the company.

Harrison and Hetherington’s Newtown St Boswells Auction Mart remains at the centre of the new plans, with extensive new facilities to include a new office, mart café, additional covered areas and sale rings. Mart access will be “turned round”, with access direct from a new roundabout on the A68 the preferred solution, instead of coming through the centre of town. This will prove beneficial to all those bringing and removing stock, as well as increasing safety in the town.

Michael Laird Architects’ plans have won considerable support for their two-fold aims – of not only providing a 21st Century Mart for the Borders’ rural economy, but also designing a blueprint for future town development, aimed at giving the community a town centre worthy of its size, and provide for its need for economic growth and homes.

David Pritchard, joint managing director for Harrison and Hetherington, commented: “The Planning Application, will, if approved, allow us to provide what would be effectively a new mart in Scotland. It will give us and our customers modern facilities for handling stock, and access to other vital services and products we can offer.

"Our plans provide two new bays of covered pens – (circa 2000sqm), a new office for H and H staff and for interaction with customers, a new canteen, two new multi species auction sale rings, new car parking, and delivery and servicing accommodation."

Richard Rankin, CEO of H and H Group PLC, added: “We believe that the development will not only benefit the mart, but also grow Newtown St Boswells as a Rural Hub; giving homes, facilities and economic opportunities it needs as the centre of the rural community it serves.

"We will be conducting ongoing dialogue with the local community on the plans, and on any related matters during the course of the application and beyond. Our ambition is to create a centre of excellence for rural services in the Scottish Borders.”

Further details about the plans can be found on the Scottish Borders Council website at: https://eplanning.scotborders.gov.uk/online-applications/.