PCC Logo

Community Council

of the Royal Burgh of Peebles & District

PCC Logo

Community Council

of the Royal Burgh of Peebles & District

PCC Logo

Who we are

Peebles and District Community Council (PCC) is governed by the Scottish Borders Council (SBC) Scheme for Community Councils (see boundary maps). Read our constitution and standing orders.

We are local people with an interest in our community. Our 18 members may serve for up to 3 years before standing for re-election. We regularly co-opt members for their skills and to fill vacancies.

The six elected Scottish Borders Councillors from East and West Tweeddale are `ex-officio' (non-voting) members who provide a valuable link to and from SBC.

What we do

Our main role is to:

  • Represent our local area
  • Consult with local residents
  • Pass residents' views on to public sector organisations such as SBC and NHS Borders

SBC has a responsibility to

  • Consult with PCC about how local services are delivered
  • Inform us of changes to services & issues that may affect our area

When & where we meet

Ordinary Meetings of the Council are held on the Second Thursday of each month in the Burgh Hall, Peebles. These meetings normally start at 7:00pm and continue until approximately 9:00 pm.

Our meetings are publicised in the Peeblesshire News the week before the meeting with any changes to time and venue advertised.

Minutes and reports

Minutes and reports from the chair, planning convenor and police are available in Documents.

There is also a copy of the minutes and agenda displayed on the Community Council Noticeboard each month. The board is situated on the right of the archway leading to the Chambers Institution and Quadrangle. A further copy is located in the library. Please ask the librarian for the Community Council folder.

Briefing meeting 7pm Thu 27 March 2025 Burgh Hall

Peebles Community Council meetings are time-bound, emphasising decision making covering a range of pressing topics vast and varied. Two topics affecting Peebles over the longer term that would benefit from more information and more informal discussion than our monthly meetings can allow time for are community benefit from wind farms and the Peebles Town Action Plan. A special meeting has been arranged in order to discuss these matters more fully on Thursday 27th March at 7pm in the Burgh Hall. Materials to be discussed are already in our previous minutes and no decisions are anticipated to be taken, but as always, members of the public are most welcome to join us.

Next ordinary meeting

7pm Thursday 12th September 2024Agenda

Come along

All meetings are open to the public.

Each meeting allows 10 minutes for a Question and Answer session for members of the public to ask a question on any subject of relevance to the community council.

Citizen Space – Consultations

Contribute your views on open consultations and find out what changed in response to previous consultations for SBC Citizen Space and Scottish Government consultations. On each site you can scroll down to "see all open consultations".

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have published new surface water flood maps, which for the first time include small watercourses. This new level of detail provides Scotland with the most detailed and accurate picture of where flooding could occur from heavy rainfall.

Flooding is Scotland’s biggest climate adaption challenge, and these maps mark a major step forward in helping communities and businesses understand the flood risk in an area, and what the impacts could be when surface water flooding happens, to help protect lives, properties and communities.

The maps, developed with JBA Consulting, provide comprehensive coverage across Scotland, with the most accurate detail to date, utilising the latest science, data and information on climate change. By integrating the latest rainfall data and climate change projections they reflect more accurately the areas likely to be affected by surface water during heavy rainfall. SEPA have also worked collaboratively with local authorities and other partners to incorporate local knowledge throughout the production and review of the maps.

The publication of the surface water maps supports the implementation of the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029 and was a focus under Climate Resilience in our Annual operating plan for 24–25.

In launching the maps, Vincent Fitzsimons, Head of Hydrology and Flooding Services, SEPA said:

“Surface water flooding is Scotland’s most widespread flood risk, and climate change is making it more severe. These new maps are a game-changer in how we understand and prepare for flooding both now and in the future. Our enhanced, data-driven and collaborative approach ensures that flood risk is clearly understood, enabling proactive measures that help safeguard lives, property and builds community resilience.

Protecting Scotland’s communities is at the heart of what we do at SEPA. These updated flood maps are a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to provide individuals, businesses, and local authorities clearer, more detailed, and more accurate information about where flooding could occur which allows them to prepare for and respond when flooding happens.”

We recognise that people and communities suffer the most during floods, and the effects can be severe and last a long time for those who have been impacted. Surface water remains the biggest risk of flooding in Scotland and can affect anyone. Understanding how you can be affected by flooding is the first step in being prepared.

The new surface water and small watercourses flood maps can be accessed on SEPA’s website via sepa.scot/flooding, where users can also find out how they may be exposed to flooding from rivers and the sea.

As Scotland’s strategic flood risk management authority, we are helping to support communities and our partners to avoid flood risk where they can, protect where they cannot and act when warned of flooding.

Please visit SEPA’s flooding pages for information on how to prepare for flooding as well as interactive maps and other data to check the risk of flooding. You may also wish to recommend via social to your community that they sign up to receive free flood updates and advice for their local area through our Floodline service, available on the same webpage.

Regards

Peter
Peter Finnie | Public Affairs
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Angus Smith Building
6 Parklands Avenue
Eurocentral
Holytown
North Lanarkshire
ML1 4WQ

SEPA Surface Water Flood Map Peebles

The dark and medium blue shaded areas are all considered at risk of river flooding (image courtesy of SEPA flood maps, license OGL 3.0).

Dark blue areas have a high risk (≥ 10% per year) of river flooding, i.e. a 50% chance of flooding within 7 years.

Medium blue areas have medium risk (≥ 0.5% and < 10% per year) of flooding, i.e. 50% chance of flood between 7 years and 138 years.

Light blue areas have a low risk (≥ 0.1% and < 0.5% per year) of flooding.

The pink shaded areas have High, Medium and Low risk of surface water and small watercourses flooding.

The following roads will be closed on 27th April 2025 between the hours of 11:00 and 14:00 to allow the Easter ride to take place.

These closures will only come into force when instructed by a police officer in uniform.

  • Kingsmeadows Road
  • Glensax Road
  • Glen Road
  • Bonnington Road
  • Springwood Road
  • Springhill Road

Easter Ride 27 Apr 2025 Route Plan

Car Park Closure

The following car park will be closed on 27th April 2025 between the hours of 10:00 and 15:00 to allow the above event to take place

  • Kingsmeadows Road Car Park – the north side adjacent to the River Tweed

Easter Ride 27 Apr 2025 Car park closure

The following roads will be closed to vehicular traffic on the 18th April 2025 between the hours of 20:30 and 21:30.

These closures will only come into effect at such times when under the instruction of a police officer in uniform or appropriate signing is in place.

  • Hight Street
  • Port Brae
  • Eastgate

Intro adult principals 18 Apr 2025

On the 19th of December 2024, the Scottish Coalition on Community Energy welcomed Scottish Government's review of community benefits saying:

"more is needed to deliver a fair energy deal for Scottish communities."

"In a report launched today, 19 December 2024, the community coalition urged the Scottish Government to increase this ‘good practice benchmark’. For onshore wind, they suggest £7.3k per Megawatt per year, plus additional payments to bring the total to at least 2.5% of the developer’s revenue from the project."

Have your say

Scottish Government's Community benefits from net zero energy developments consultation closes 11 Apr 2025.

Read PCC's consultation response. Thank you to the Scottish Community Coalition on Energy for the wide consultation on their response.

Nominations are invited from members of the community whose names appear on the current Electoral Register for the Royal Burgh of Peebles & District Community Council area. In the event of there being more nominations than places on the Community Council, a ballot will be held.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Scottish Borders Council website, or obtained from:

  • The Post Office, 14 Eastgate, Peebles, EH45 8AA
  • Peebles Library, High Street, Peebles, EH45 8AG
  • Democratic Services, Scottish Borders Council, Newtown St Boswells, TD6 0SA, Tel: 01835 826527

The final date for the return of completed nomination forms is 12 noon Tuesday 8th April 2025.

Forms should be delivered or posted to:

Lynne Cuerden
Peebles Community Council
Democratic Services
Scottish Borders Council
Newtown St Boswells
TD6 0SA

or emailed to lynne.cuerden@scotborders.gov.uk

"26 Feb 2025

Dear Members of Peebles and District Community Council,

We are writing to inform you of a forthcoming planning application for the erection of a dwellinghouse at ‘Land West of 8 Ballantyne Place, Peebles.’

As you may already be aware, the site has been subject of a number of planning applications, the most recent being an application for 2 dwellinghouses (ref: 20/00691/FUL) that was refused on the grounds that the development would result in the loss of green space, would result in over-development and would not respect the character of the surrounding area.

Our client has since purchased the site and we are now preparing an application where we seek to address the previous reasons for refusal and comments from objections and the Community Council. We are therefore proposing the erection of a single dwelling on the site instead of two, as this represent a lower scale development and will allow the retention of part of the site to remain as open space, where our client would then create an attractive garden for shared use by the community, which would be a great improvement from its current derelict condition.

We would be keen to attend your next meeting on the 13th March and present these plans to the community and answer any questions prior to the planning application being submitted, or we are also happy to arrange a meeting at a separate time.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Kind regards,

Kieran McFarlane MRTPI
Senior Planner
Ferguson Planning"

Ballantyne Place plans and elevation

Ballantyne Place site plan

Ballantyne Place developer's photo

† The refusal was appealed by the developer, with the reporter rejecting the appeal, finding that in addition to being contrary to the policies mentioned (EP11, PMD5 and PMD2), the proposal was also contrary to policy HD3 (protection of residential amenity).

Numerous objections were expressed by members of the public at this presentation. Peebles Community Council supports residents and will object to proposals on this play area.

Consultation event 2–7 pm Thu 6 Mar 2025

We would like to invite you to an information session to learn more about proposed active travel routes through Peebles alongside the River Tweed. The proposed route will form part of the River Tweed Trail, a new long distance source to sea path from Moffat to Berwick-upon-Tweed. More information here.

The aim of the session will be to gain feedback on proposed designs and options between Fotheringham and Priorsford footbridges. We will also have information on proposals for path links through Haylodge Park.

When: Thursday 6th March 2025 2.00pm - 7.00pm.
Where: Go Tweed Valley Information Centre, Peebles High Street, Peebles, EH45 8AG
Who: You will be able to speak to project staff from Scottish Borders Council & Tweed Forum.

Public Consultation Event

Online survey 6–23 Mar 2025

Please fill in the online citizen space survey, available from Thursday 6th March to Sunday 23rd March.

Address: March Street, Peebles – from March Street Lane to Edinburgh Road

Details: Road closure

Reason: Resurfacing works on Edinburgh Road

Start Date and Duration: 17th, 18th & 21st March 2025 between the hours of 8:00 and 17:00

Alternative Eastbound: via March Street, Montgomerie Place, Cross Street, Elcho Street Brae, Old Town, Cuddy Bridge, High Street, Eastgate, Innerleithen Road and Edinburgh Road to point of closure

Alternative Westbound: via Edinburgh Road, Innerleithen Road, Eastgate, High Street, Cuddy Bridge, Old Town, Young Street, Rosetta Road and March Street to point of restriction

No waiting: Parking will be prohibited on the following road from 6:00 on Monday 3rd March to 17:00 on the 24th March 2025

  • Edinburgh Road, Peebles – from Innerleithen Road to a point 20 metres north of Venlaw High Road

Parking restrictions will only apply when no waiting cones or appropriate signage is in place.

March St Closure 17, 18 and 21 March 2025

March St Closure 17, 18 and 21 March 2025

I am writing to inform you that Scottish Borders Council propose to carry out carriageway resurfacing works at the above location. I have attached a plan showing the proposed extent of the works.

Preparatory works are due to commence week beginning Monday 3rd March for a duration of around 5 days and will be carried out under temporary traffic signals.

The carriageway resurfacing works are then due to start on Monday 10th March for 11 days excluding weekends. These works will be carried out utilising a convoy system between the hours of 09:00 and 17:00 each day. However, the March Street junction will be closed during some stages of the works.

To comply with current Health & Safety Legislation, it will be necessary to close the March Street Junction from 08:00hrs to 17:00hrs daily, Monday 17th, Tuesday 18th and Friday 21st March.

Areas around Edinburgh Road will also be subjected to parking restrictions from 08:00 to 17:00hrs each day. Parking restrictions will apply where no waiting cones or signs are in place.

During the works there will be sentries on duty to assist with the traffic management throughout the working period and deliveries will be accommodated where practically possible.

SBC’s Passenger Transport and Refuse Teams have also been notified of this closure and are prepared to set up alternative arrangements to ensure that their services suffer minimal disruption.

Face to face consultation will also be carried out to directly affected businesses later this week with further information posted on the SBC website and social media pages.

I hope the above information is helpful, however if you require any more information please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards,

Scott Learmonth EngTech MICE
Asset Engineer
Scottish Borders Council

Edinburgh Road resurfacing March 2025

News archive