The 2.24 ha site in the heart of the Borders town of Peebles is a former woollen mill from around 1884. Whiteburn’s plans for the first phase of the March Street development will deliver 51 two, three and four-bedroom homes, and the former Engine and Boiler House will be retained for commercial use.

The Lodge Gatehouse will be sympathetically extended and modernised into a new family home, and a key focus of the approved development plan includes the preservation of the Key Greenspace for community allotment use.

Whiteburn Projects managing director, Eve McCurrich, said: “It is great to finally commence work at our March Street development to deliver a sensitive development in the heart of the Peebles Conservation Area. Scottish Borders Council recently declared a housing emergency, the regeneration of March Street will deliver much needed new homes in the heart of Peebles.”

Roger Bainbridge, director of design and delivery for Whiteburn Projects, added: “Our key objective is to breathe new life into this part of Peebles. When complete there will be a new network of shared cycle/footpath routes and greenspaces for all local residents to enjoy for the first time in the site’s history, as well as much needed new homes. Our pre-construction works will include a significant programme of demolition works and we would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience to members of the local community.

“Work by our contractor, Central Demolition, will take place Monday to Friday with no weekend working, and of course will be completed while adhering to our highest health and safety standards. Prior to these works starting, and in consultation with Scottish Borders Council’s archaeology officer, we have created a full Historic Building record for the development.

“Additionally, we have also discovered a few interesting artefacts, including sample books of textiles, which we have donated to the Hawick Heritage Hub, along with digital scans of a series of drawings that were also discovered in the existing building which we thought would be of interest to members of the local community and should be preserved at the Peebles Heritage Hub.”

Whiteburn Projects is a member Homes for Scotland and is fully committed to a programme of engagement with local communities and key stakeholders throughout the lifetime of its developments. Its programme of community engagement for the March Street development has included two public consultation events, meetings with a variety of local community and interest groups, and discussions with Scottish Borders Council regarding a range of Section 75 community benefits.