Paul Kelly

Newtown Primary pupils have begun the new term in temporary classrooms created inside Scottish Borders Council headquarters after a July 25 fire made their school unusable. The council converted part of its headquarters into classrooms and shared spaces, while Newtown Nursery children were moved temporarily to Earlston Primary’s early learning centre. Transport, secure access and family support arrangements are in place, and remedial work timescales are still being confirmed.

Scottish Borders Council has approved the first phase of stabilisation work at the Bernat Klein Studio near Selkirk, a Modernist building designed by brutalist architect Peter Womersley. The property has suffered two decades of neglect and vandalism and has been on the Buildings at Risk Register since 2002. The Bernat Klein Studio Coalition, comprising the Bernat Klein Foundation, the National Trust for Scotland and the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, plans to secure the building, investigate its condition and prepare for a full restoration expected to cost more than £3 million. The works include improving temporary boarding, reducing water ingress, removing unoriginal fittings and protecting the structure from unauthorised entry and further deterioration.

Roadworks on the A7 between Hawick and Selkirk will support construction of the £450 million Center Parcs Scottish Borders holiday village. Temporary traffic lights will operate from August 24 to September 25, while overnight closures between September 7 and 11 will allow a new junction and changes to an existing lay-by to be completed safely. Center Parcs says the improvements are needed to provide access during construction and after the village opens, and has apologized for anticipated disruption.

Scottish Borders Council has agreed not to oppose plans to repower the Crystal Rig wind farm with 10 turbines reaching up to 200 metres in height. Councillors acknowledged that the turbines would be substantially taller than the existing structures and could affect the landscape, but concluded that the site is already an established wind-energy area and that increased renewable-electricity generation outweighs the potential environmental impacts, subject to mitigation. The final decision will be made by the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit.

Scottish Borders Council has approved plans for a £4 million McDonald’s restaurant in Hawick on the former Bruce Motors site. The development will include a 24-hour drive-thru, coffee shop, electric vehicle charging hub and 38 parking spaces, creating approximately 100 jobs, including around 70 full-time-equivalent roles. The approval followed the withdrawal of holding objections from SEPA and Transport Scotland. Supporters say the project will provide economic and social benefits, while contributing an estimated £50,000–£60,000 annually in business rates.

A fire at Knoll Hospital in Duns, Berwickshire, caused disruption to outpatient clinic services while NHS Borders assesses the building and damage. All patients, staff and contractors were reported safe, with no injuries. Affected patients will be contacted directly and are advised not to attend unless instructed. GP appointments at Merse Medical Practice will continue as normal, while teams work to restore services.

Peniel House, a Grade C-listed former hunting lodge and Christian retreat near Kirk Yetholm and Kelso in the Scottish Borders, is the subject of a planning application for conversion into a modern family home. The proposal includes using an annex as holiday accommodation to generate income for maintaining the historic property while preserving its architectural heritage.

A survey by Stow & Fountainhall Community Council found that 83.7% of local residents oppose Galileo Empower’s proposed Longmuir renewable energy park near Stow and Oxton in the Scottish Borders. The 1,150-hectare project would include ten 200-metre wind turbines, 100 acres of solar panels, battery storage, access roads and other infrastructure. Residents and the community council argue that it would industrialise the landscape, affect nearby homes and harm walking and riding routes. Concerns have also been raised about possible interference with the Eskdalemuir Seismic Array, which monitors nuclear activity, and about impacts on rare birds. The site was previously rejected for a windfarm after a 2014 public inquiry.

Kelso Abbey has reopened to visitors after five years of closure following masonry consolidation, netting, repointing and inspections carried out by Historic Environment Scotland. The reopening coincides with the Border Union Show and begins preparations for the abbey’s 900th anniversary in 2028, with further inspections and celebrations being planned alongside the Kelso 900 Group, local stakeholders and community groups.

Allanton, Whitsome and Edrom Community Council has issued an urgent warning after several dog-related incidents in Whitsome, including a serious attack. Dog owners are being asked to keep pets on leads, prevent them from approaching people, dogs or livestock without invitation, and report dangerous or uncontrolled behaviour to Police Scotland. Guidance leaflets are being delivered throughout the village, while no similar incidents have been reported in Allanton or Edrom.