Peebles Community Council recognises that beavers are a formerly extinct native species which arguably belong in our local landscape and may offer benefits including wetland habitat creation, improved water quality, and potential contribution to natural flood management.

Nature Scot have made a call for interest in beaver release to new catchments. Anyone with an interest can get in touch directly with NatureScot via the online webform before November 30.

Consequently, we have discussed briefly the pros and cons of future reintroduction of beavers to Peeblesshire, with a variety of views expressed. Discussion is hypothetical at present given that no specific proposal has been made, however we note that, to be acceptable, any proposal would require the provision of a properly resourced plan including educational, management, mitigation and landowner support measures.

As the introduction of beavers to a new area has implications that may be seen as both positive or negative dependent upon viewpoint, Peebles Community Council welcome feedback by email on secretary@ccrbpeebles.co.uk.