CALLS have been made for the council to save treasured trees near a Peebles mansion.

Granton Homes was granted planning permission in principle for a 14-home flatted development beside Kingsmeadows House.

But the Edinburgh-based firm’s latest application was knocked back in May 2022 by Scottish Borders Council (SBC).

The proposals faced backlash after locals raised concerns over a host of issues, the main one being the loss of a number of mature trees on the estate.

Now calls have been made for a tree protection order (TPO) to save the woodland at Kingsmeadows House, which were endorsed by Peebles Community Council.

Cat McKay and Michael Marshall – part of the Save Kingsmeadows campaign – gave a presentation at the group’s meeting on Thursday, August 10.

They have sent a letter to SBC asking for a protection order.

Mr Marshall said: “A TPO for this ecologically important woodland has wide support from the community, community groups and councillors.

“There is an ongoing threat to the wider woodland from the site with planning permission in principle.”

The letter is addressed to SBC’s planning and development standards officer, and addressees include the lead officer for heritage and design and the tree officer.

Tweeddale East councillor Robin Tatler has pushed for a TPO and recently, with Ian Aikman SBC’s chief planning and housing officer, met with Ms McKay and Mr Marshall.

Last year Granton Homes said that the majority of the trees that required felling were younger, mostly self-seeded and not part of the 200-year-old mature woodland.

The company added that it would plant new trees for what was described as a “sensitive development”.

In the letter Mr Marshall said that around 750 trees at Kingsmeadows were surveyed in 2009 by then-owner Standard Life.

He said: “Eighty-nine trees have been registered on the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Inventory which is by no means an exhaustive recording of the most significant trees.

“At least nine trees have been verified as veteran trees by the Woodland Trust.”

Mr Marshall added that veteran trees had been afforded greater protection in recently-adopted Scottish Government planning framework.

A rare tree was recently discovered on the estate.

The black poplar, Britain’s rarest native hardwood, was confirmed as the second native black poplar to be recorded in Peeblesshire following DNA testing.

An SBC spokesperson said: “The council has received a formal request for a tree preservation order at Kingsmeadows House in Peebles and is currently considering the appropriateness of serving such an order.”