Village faces massive expansion

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Plans have been lodged for a housing scheme which would more than double the population of a Borders village.

Buccleuch Property and Elphinstone Estates want to build 900 houses on land around Whitehill Farm to the south and west of Newtown St Boswells.

It is estimated the scheme would cost in the region of £135m and take a considerable time to develop.

The current population of the village - where Scottish Borders Council has its headquarters - stands at about 1,200.

Expansion plans for the village have been on the cards for many years, with locals concerned about what they could mean for the community.

A Newtown Says No campaign was formed in 2006 and collected more than 600 signatures in the space of a few weeks but a public inquiry agreed with moves to greatly expand the village.

However, the local community council has said any development must be carried out in a way which ensures a positive impact on the area.