A BID for three eco-cabins in a woodland setting on the banks of the River Tweed in Melrose has been submitted to Scottish Borders Council.

The site for the holiday lets is land south of Faldonside House, a Category B listed building.

Since taking ownership of Faldonside House and its grounds in November 2021 the applicants, Mr and Mrs J & K Blackport, have taken forward nature-positive re-wilding across land within their ownership.

This includes enhancement of biodiversity across existing habitats in the grounds generally and targeting specific species such as bat, pine marten, red squirrel, and hedgehog.

The nature-positive approach of the applicants has also informed installation of renewable energy generation capacity within the grounds as well as permaculture food production.

The success of the re-wilding initiative has reached the point that the applicants are now offering a ‘fresh food bank’ to the local community to supplement the efforts of local foodbanks that have served the area for an extended period of time.

A report in support of the application, from Ferguson Planning, says: “The applicants consider this essential in order to consolidate the progress they are delivering, by spreading awareness and understanding of nature positive re-wilding and increasing pro-environment attitudes among public opinion locally

“It is proposed for the eco-cabins to be cleaned and maintained by people living in the local area with experience in those lines of work, geographically retaining employment and investment in the Borders.

“The proposal represents the erection of eco-tourism development on an appropriate site in the countryside. The development has been sensitively designed in the local landscape for sole use as holiday accommodation.”