CHANGE is looming at a former woollen mill in Peebles as work starts on building more than 50 new homes.

March Street Mill, which was built in the late 19th century, closed in 2015 with the loss of 87 jobs.

When members of Scottish Borders Council’s Planning and Building Standards Committee met earlier this year they approved its residential conversion.

Consent was granted to demolish all existing buildings within the site apart from the Engine and Boiler House, which will be retained for commercial use.

The Lodge Gatehouse will be extended and modernised into a new family home.

Edinburgh-based developer Whiteburn Projects proposals for the first phase of the March Street development are for 51 two-, three- and four-bedroom homes.

Its regeneration of the former mill is under way with a programme of pre-construction demolition works.

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.”

Gardeners raised concerns about the former mill site’s conversion impacting allotment space.

They were told the move would result in the loss of five out of 52 allotment plots and impact the size of another 15.

Whiteburn said a “key focus” of the approved development plan was the “preservation of the key greenspace for community allotment use”.

Roger Bainbridge, director of design and delivery for Whiteburn Projects, said: “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.”