Councillors unanimously rejected plans for an eight-turbine wind farm near Westruther at a meeting on Monday.

The Brunta Hill scheme, put forward by PNE Wind, had been recommended for refusal by planning officers.

Members of the planning committee agreed, and the plan was refused on the grounds of its adverse impact on the landscape, including the Southern Upland Way, the cumulative effect with Fallago Rig and the Corsbie Moor scheme currently in the appeal system, and because the turbines would be “overbearing and dominant” in relation to nearby homes.

The site of the turbines on a ridge prompted Councillor Donald Moffat to label the scheme as being “one step too far”.

He added: “There is nothing here that says to me this is a good development.”

Councillor Jim Fullarton added that because of the size of modern turbines it was “becoming more and more difficult to put these machine in the right place in the Borders”.

Following the decision, Gemma Hamilton, project development manager for PNE Wind, said the firm was “extremely disappointed”.

She added: “Considerable effort has gone into the design to ensure that the renewable energy potential of this site is maximised, whilst minimising the landscape and environmental effects on the surrounding area.”

The firm will examine the decision before exploring “further options”, Ms Hamilton said.

The rapid growth of Julian Cram’s Borders Cycles business has taken him into larger premises, for which he has even bigger plans.

The new shop, in Teviot Crescent, Hawick, has four times the floor space of his previous premises, providing additional room for displays, a wider range of stock and a dedicated workshop.

The move, completed partly thanks to £4,000 from the council’s Scottish Borders Business Fund, has also enabled Julian to take on a new member of staff.

He said: “I realised half-way through the second year that we were rapidly outgrowing our old premises so began looking for somewhere that would allow me to display more bikes and accessories, so that they weren’t crowded together, and provide a separate workshop space.

“Teviot Crescent fitted the bill perfectly. But moving to new premises is expensive, so being awarded the grant was extremely helpful as it helped pay for part of the refurbishment.”

Julian, chairman of Hawick Skate Park Community Group, is looking to turn the new outlet into a ‘destination’, offering a cafe and, eventually, an indoor skate park.

He said: “Now that the shop is open, the community group will start looking at the feasibility of turning the shop’s extensive yard into a 5,000sqft indoor skate park that will provide a safer all-weather alternative to the current skate park, adjacent to the leisure centre.

“However, there’s a long way to go before the skate park opens. We need to raise funds, draft plans and then go through the planning process before a brick can be laid.

“In the meantime, the cafe, which will be run by volunteers of the group, will help raise awareness and funds for the project, which we hope the local community will back.”

Helping Julian with his business has been Sandra Campbell, business adviser at Business Gateway. She said: “By providing locals with an outlet that stocked high quality bikes sold by someone who has a lifelong passion and in-depth knowledge of cycling, his venture has helped fill a gap in the market.”

The owners of a troubled Hawick care home have accused South of Scotland MSP Paul Wheelhouse of making defamatory comments after he claimed staff were owed up to £600, writes Kenny Paterson.

And Park Homes have threatened legal action should the Scottish Minister for Environment and Climate Change repeat the accusations.

Mr Wheelhouse said in a statement last week that he had discovered a contract change announced in April had left up to 40 staff out of pocket, and said senior management had cancelled a proposed meeting to discuss the saga.

But Jason Sykes of Park Homes said it was aware of only four of around 55 staff having issues with the way their wages are calculated.

He added: “The management is willing and able to meet Mr Wheelhouse at a mutually convenient time and we regret that he has felt it necessary to release a potentially defamatory and factually incorrect statement which is ill considered and without merit.”

The SNP politician said last week: “It is an upsetting and dispiriting situation for the staff to find themselves in, where their employer is appearing to fail to honour their commitments to their employees.”

Selkirk’s Queen’s Head pub stays shut, despite a Facebook group ‘Queen’s Head Selkirk’ promising to “open end of July”.

It remains unclear whether this was a genuine rival bid to a proposed community buyout, or a hoax.

Residents in the hamlet of Houndslow have renewed calls for more road safety measures on the A697 following a fatal crash on Monday.

After repeated requests for it to be made safer for children to walk to the nearby crossroads for the school bus, the council installed two pedestrian warning signs in the hope of getting drivers to temper their speed.

The appeal was backed by John Lamont MSP, but both he and residents have now called for more to be done.

Resident Rob Wilson said the signs were installed six weeks ago, but had not altered drivers’ habits.

“It is a good straight road, and fast, and folk just don’t slow down. We had been asking for a lower speed limit, but the council said it was not justified because there had not been any accidents.

“Even a policeman who attended the scene on Monday said we really should have a lower speed limit.”

Mr Wilson added: “The council said there was no case for a pavement due to a lack of pedestrians and because the verges are suitable to walk on.

But, over the brow of the hill, the verge is only about two feet wide and it slopes towards the road. If you stumble you are on the road.”

Mr Lamont said: “The residents have very legitimate concerns and it is important that the police and council work together to see if further improvements can be made.

“The residents see the dangers every day and their views should be taken into account.”

A council spokesperson said: “As with all fatal accidents the council will be liaising closely with the police in terms of discussing possible causation factors and whether any remedial measures would be appropriate.”

A 59-year-old man was killed in the crash, which involved two cars and a van. Another man, aged 50, suffered spinal injuries. A man and a woman were also taken to hospital with cuts.

Borderers have been encouraged to take part in a tax-free childcare consultation by the UK Government.

It is seeking views on a wide range of questions on how tax-free childcare will operate, including scheme eligibility.

Retailers are to be consulted on the cost of fuel to see if a rebate scheme could be implemented in the Borders, similar to that on Scottish islands.

The region is one of a number of areas where the UK Government is looking for data from petrol stations to enable it to put its case to the European Commission.

It hopes to seek permission to extend the island fuel rebate scheme to other rural areas of the country.

The news has been welcomed by Councillor Gordon Edgar, the local authority’s executive member for roads and infrastructure.

Mr Edgar said: “Nothing moves in the Borders unless it is on four wheels, and it is a costly business keeping a vehicle fuelled.

“A fuel rebate would certainly provide an economic boost to the Borders in that businesses could compete on a more level playing field because of a reduction in their transport costs.”

He added: “We are a rural area, and fuel has to come from Grangemouth or the south, so there will be a substantial delivery charge included in the price.”

Announcing the consultation with some 1,500 retailers, chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: “The island fuel rebate provides much-needed help to keep down fuel prices in areas where costs of transporting fuel mean prices are much higher.

“I know that there are other remote rural areas of the UK with similarly-high fuel costs.”

Mr Alexander added: “As a Highlander, I know that for people who live in rural areas, driving is not a choice, but a necessity.”

Borders MP Michael Moore said: “As a rural area, we face higher petrol prices than our urban counterparts, yet are more dependent on our cars to get around.”

David Mundell MP added: “In my constituency having a car is a necessity, not a luxury.

“The Borders has some of the highest fuel prices in the country, and I have time and again lobbied for measures that will bring down the cost of fuel for hard-working people, families and the small businesses which are the backbone of our local economy.”

An expanded scheme will require approval from the European Commission and other member states due to EU legislation.

A previously rejected plan to build a house within a Bleachfield Road garden will go before the council’s review body on Monday.

The committee will consider the application after planners ruled in May that it was an unacceptable size and had not undergone a flood risk assessment.

Applications for homelessness help in the Borders increased last year, one of just three areas of Scotland where this was the case.

However the council has said that the 17 per cent increase, compared to a 13 per cent decrease across the whole of Scotland, cannot be compared like-for-like with other authorities, as the figures are calculated differently.

Cathie Fancy, the council’s group manager for housing strategy and services,said the issue had been raised with the Scottish Government, who produced the report containing the figures, and that the council was aware that the result would differ greatly from other local authorities.

According to the statistics, the number of homelessness assessments in the Borders rose to 636 in 2012/13, compared to 542 the previous year.

But Ms Fancy said the increase was largely down to the new prevention approach, which had led to a ‘greater emphasis’ on people receiving full assessments.

She added that due to the implementation of the new service in 2011/12, almost all assessments were put on hold for the first month, meaning that the figure effectively only covered 11 months, and so was less than it would normally be.

In fact, Ms Fancy said that the total number of people approaching the service had increased by just 0.05 per cent in 2012/13 compared to the previous year.

Ms Fancy said: “Overall, the numbers presenting to the service for advice and assistance have remained fairly constant over the last few years and upon further analysis the reasons for presenting has not changed in any manner.

She added: “The council works with all of its registered social landlord partners and with the private sector to ensure that people have fair access to social rented and/or affordable housing solutions.

“The council is also working with its partners to ensure that we build as many new affordable homes as possible and also to ensure that areas are regenerated to bring empty – social and private sector – properties back into use.”

Ms Fancy said that the impact of welfare reforms on homelessness in the Borders would likely not be known until later in the year, and that next year’s figures would give a better comparison for the local authority.

She added that a rise was ‘anticipated’ due to the welfare reforms which came into force earlier this year.

A total of 89 households in the Borders were staying in temporary accommodation due to homelessness last year, including 39 children.

A fleet of new buses will serve the Borders from next week when Perryman’s officially take over the majority of local routes.

A number of new services will be provided. Full details are available on the council’s website, new timetables and at stops.

FirstBus’ 62 and X95 services remain unchanged.

THE ‘alien’ appearance of 28 proposed holiday lodges close to Whitmuirhall Loch has seen the plans scuppered.

Last week, a planning appeal was dismissed by reporter Gerry Farrington, who said the development would cause ‘unacceptable harm’ to the area. The loch is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Despite dismissing the appeal, by Whitmuir Hall owner Alan Williams, the reporter said the plan had its benefits.

These included the creation of jobs, the likely implementation of an approved extension to the leisure and communal facilities at Whitmuir Hall, which are accessible to the community, and improvements to the road.

But, Mr Farrington added: “However well designed and landscaped, due to the size and density of the units and the tightness of the clusters, the development would have an alien suburban appearance and character in this rural setting.”

He concluded: “The proposal would cause unacceptable harm to the amenity and character of the scenic landscape surrounding Whitmuirhall Loch, which is sensitive to change and contributes significantly to the attractiveness of the area for tourism and public recreation.”

The council’s application for costs is still to be decided.

Police have issued an urgent appeal for information this morning in tracing a 93-year-old woman who has gone missing from her home near Hawick.

Jean Arres, who stays at Whiteburn, Southdean ten miles south of Hawick, was last seen at her home around 9pm on Saturday, by family members.

She was reported missing yesterday after she failed to turn up for church.

She is described as white, 5ft 2ins tall, with a slight build, and grey hair.

She normally wears a grey/blue jacket tied around the waist with baler twine, and cream corduroy trousers. She is also likely to be wearing wellies.

Inspector Callum McDonald, from Police Scotland, said: “Jean hasn’t been seen or heard from since Saturday, and we are growing increasingly concerned for her safety the longer she remains missing.

“It is likely that she has gone out for a walk and got into difficulty, and we are receiving assistance from Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue and the Border Search and Rescue Unit as we undertake searches of the local area.

“I would appeal to anyone who has been walking in the local area and thinks they may have seen her since she went missing to contact Police Scotland immediately.

“Anyone else with information regarding her whereabouts should also get in touch.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101.

The world famous Treorchy Male Voice Choir head home to Wales today after a hugely successful tour of the Borders.

The choir performed at a sportsman’s dinner in aid of the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust last Thursday in Galashiels, which saw Finlay Calder and Jim Leishman speak.

And an auction saw two Scotland rugby jerseys worn by Jedburgh’s Greig Laidlaw raise £1,700.

After a trip to Murrayfield to perform, the 60-strong choir played to a capacity crowd in the Volunteer Hall on Saturday, with support from Langlee Community Choir, for another Rowan Boland Memorial Trust fundraiser, with influences ranging from Scottish to African.

They then went east to perform to around 160 in The Maltings at Berwick-Upon-Tweed on Sunday afternoon before returning to Galashiels in the evening for a farewell reception and sing-song at the town’s Cricket Club.

An RBMT spokesman said: “We are grateful to the choir for making the trip up in such large numbers and helping to raise a huge amount of money for our charity.”

Watch the video above for a performance at Gala Cricket Club last night.

It was a succesful weekend for Borders sides in the East Leagues, with one side gaining promotion and another edging ever closer to it.

Division One outfit St Boswells were defeated by four wickets by Grange 2nds.

Gala are on the brink of reaching Division One after defeating Largo by seven wickets, with Robbie Pringle claiming three victims.

In Division Three, Kelso bounced back from two consecutive defeats with a 25 run victory over promotion chasing Livingston. Steve Patterson scored a half century and Murray Scott took four wickets.

Selkirk sealed promotion to Division Four with a 44 run victory over struggling Musselburgh 2nds, with Greg Fenton claiming a six wicket haul.

In Division Seven, Hawick & Wilton bowled RHC 3rds out for only 35, with Gary Alexander taking five wickets. The Teries scored 114 with the bat, Phil Mactaggart top scoring with a quickfire 31, as they ran out comfortable winners.

In the Border Sunday League, Manderston defeated Gala by 52 runs in a high scoring match. George Taylor and Hayden Martin scoring half centuries, Dinesh Tharanga top scoring for Gala with 45.

Elliot Ruthven scored an unbeaten century as St Boswells defeated Hawick by 60 runs, Euan Hair’s 34 runs not enough for the Teries.

Police searching for missing 93-year-old Southdean woman Jean Arres have found a body this morning in open countryside near her home.

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “At this time the body has not yet been formally identified. A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal in due course.”

She was last seen at her home around 9pm on Saturday, by family members and was reported missing yesterday after she failed to turn up for church.

Armed police have swooped on a flat in Hawick today after a weapon was reportedly seen within the property.

Police initially attended the flat at Oliver Crescent at 11am following reports of an assault.

A Police Scotland spokesman said a man had been detained and inquiries are ongoing.

Three people will appear at Selkirk Sheriff Court later today charged with assault and robbery following an incident at a flat in Hawick yesterday morning.

The two men, aged 20 and 30 respectively, and an 18-year-old woman were arrested after police attended the Oliver Crescent property at 11am yesterday.

Armed police were then called after a weapon, now believed to be an air pistol, was seen within the home.

TWO men and a woman from Hawick made a private court appearance today charged with assaulting and robbing a male victim.

Twenty year old Robert Searle and Stephen Scott, who is 30, appeared alongside 18-year-old Chelsea Gillon, who are also accused of assault and a firearms offence.

They made no plea or declaration during a brief hearing at Selkirk Sheriff Court and the case was continued for examination.

All three were granted bail pending their next court appearance which has still to be confirmed.

It follows an incident at a flat in Oliver Crescent in Hawick’s town centre on Monday morning.

The street was sealed off by armed police officers during the incident.

The A72 will be closed for one day in September as Scottish Borders Council repair the landslip at Nutwood, near Peebles.

Works include the use of draped and contoured rock netting to contain any further movement, along with the felling of a number of the larger trees by the Forestry Commission to stabilise the steep bank.

This will require temporary traffic lights and closure of the road at various times to allow these separate works to be undertaken.

The netting works will be carried out on the area of the landslip on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 August. The netting will be carried out under the present temporary traffic light arrangement which will then be removed on completion.

The Forestry Commission works to fell a number of trees to reduce wind rock and any further movement of the bank, while keeping root systems in place to stabilise the steep bank, will take place during the week commencing Monday, September 9.

During this operation the road will be closed for the majority of the tree removal with this lasting one night between the hours of 10pm and 6am.

A further day will then be required to complete the works and this will be carried out under a temporary traffic light arrangement.

An SBC spokesman said: “Confirmation of the exact date of the closure will be provided following notification by the Forestry Commission once they receive a felling licence.”

BOWLING

GENTS BORDER BOWLING LEAGUE

August 7

Division one

Jedburgh 81 Ettrick Forest 70

Ancrum 80 Melrose 60

Kelso 86 Earlston 68

Wilton 67 Abbotsford 89

Waverley 93 Selkirk 56

P W D F A Diff Pts

Melrose 17 13 1 1419 1208 +211 27

Waverley 17 13 0 1400 1202.5 +197.5 26

Abbotsford 17 10 0 1416 1310 +106 20

Kelso 17 10 0 1376 1319 +57 20

Jedburgh 17 8 3 1384 1351 +33 19

Earlston 17 8 0 1328 1341.5 -13.5 16

Ancrum 17 6 2 1334 1357 -23 14

Wilton 17 6 1 1328 1366 -38 13

Selkirk 17 5 1 1287 1414 -127 11

Ettrick Forest 17 2 0 1153 1556 -403 4

Division TWO

St Ronan’s 92 Gala 63

Newtown 10 Peebles 0

Buccleuch 87 Lauder 87

Stow 75 Hawick 89

P W D F A Diff Pts

Hawick 14 12 0 1280 917 +363 24

St Ronans 14 9 0 1174 962 +212 18

Buccleuch 14 8 1 1198 1078.25 +119.75 17

Lauder 13 8 1 1063 987.75 +75.25 17

Gala 13 8 0 1009 1006 -16 16

Stow 14 4 0 975 1233.75 -258.75 8

Peebles * 14 3 0 814.75 1043 -228.25 4

Newtown * 14 2 0 812 1099 -287 2

Division THREE

Abbotsford B 61 Kelso B 70

Gala B 0 Wilton B 10

P W D F A Diff Pts

Waverley B 10 7 1 645 589.75 +55.25 15

Wilton B 9 7 0 619 483.25 +135.75 14

Abbotsford B 9 5 0 535.75 537.75 -2 10

Kelso B 9 4 1 472 478.75 -6.75 9

Hawick B 10 3 0 593 607 -34 6

Gala B * 9 1 0 396.75 577 -200.25 0

* – deducted points

SENIORs LEAGUE

August 6

Kelso 61 Newtown 43

Wilton 49 Buccleuch 42

Jedburgh 39 Gala 64

Selkirk/Ettrick Forest 71 Hawick 49

Earlston/Melrose 71 Abbotsford 47

P W D F A Diff Pts

Selkirk/Ett. Forest 13 11 1 773 624 +129 23

Wilton 12 10 0 727 554 +173 20

Kelso 13 8 1 730 660 +70 17

Jedburgh 13 6 2 672 680 -8 14

Earlston/Melrose 13 6 1 703 677 +26 13

Gala 12 6 0 669 653 +16 12

Hawick 13 5 1 662 728 -66 11

Buccleuch 13 5 0 668 711 -63 10

Abbotsford 13 4 0 638 705 -87 8

Peebles 12 4 0 605 701 -96 8

Newtown 11 1 0 513 667 -154 2

Fixtures

Bowling

BORDERS SENIOR LEAGUE: Tuesday, August 20 – Jedburgh v Kelso; Peebles v Hawick; Earlston/Melrose v Newtown; Wilton v Abbotsford; Selkirk/Ettrick Forest v Gala.

BORDERS KNOCK OUT CUP: Friday, August 16 – Melrose v Hawick; Wilton v Selkirk. Wednesday, August 21 – Kelso v Gala; Waverley v Peebles; Abbotsford v Lauder; Ancrum v Ettrick Forest; Stow v Earlston; Jedburgh v St Ronans.