Community Council
of the Royal Burgh of Peebles & District
Community Council
of the Royal Burgh of Peebles & District
News Archive
Click the headlines to expand each article.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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"
† 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.
- 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.
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
Thanks to the more than 400 people who contributed over 1000 ideas and the volunteers on the Placemaking team, the local place plan "A Plan for Peebles" has now reached it's final draft.
The plan has now entered the formal review process where it is laid before local and neighbouring community councils and local SBC councillors for final review and comment.
The full plan is available here.
Not everyone will agree with everything, that would be impossible. But based on the overwhelmingly positive comments received to date, Peebles & District Community Council intend to sign off the plan.
If there's something you believe we should take into account, please speak to a community councillor or email the Secretary secretary@ccrbpeebles.co.uk
We are pleased to announce the Warm Spaces Support Grant 2024/25 is now open.
This fund aims to support the delivery of welcoming warm spaces over the winter months to support people in the community to gather socially and to raise awareness of support and benefits available, particularly older adults impacted by the winter fuel payment cap.
We are asking groups and organisations to support us in delivering spaces across the Scottish Borders that are open, accessible, safe and welcoming for all to come inside and warm up. We want to ensure that anyone in the community knows where they can go to get warm, receive a nutritious meal, interact with others socially, as well as receive information and advice about financial support they may be entitled to through drop in sessions with services such as CAB, Social Security Scotland, and the SBC Financial Inclusion team.
The Warm Spaces Support Grant aims to give groups and organisations financial support to open their venues up as warm welcome spaces in addition to their normal activity.
We will be prioritising towns and villages with an identified gap in existing provision or where there is a local need.
Timing is tight and the closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday, 13 December 2024.
We ask you to complete your application form here (guidance here).
The fund information is also available here
If you have any questions regarding how to apply you can email Borders Community Action Team info@borderscommunityaction.org.uk
Borders Community Action Team
Tel: 0300 124 7522
The following is an extract from a recent letter from SBC to Peebles Community Council
"The current Inspection programme requires testing to be undertaken in the newer sections of the cemetery, namely Sections NC, A & B (to the right-hand side as you enter through the main cemetery gates).
We now write with a further update to advise that Peebles Cemetery Headstone Safety Inspections will commence in these sections’ week commencing Monday 7th October. Headstones which do not pass the safety test will be made safe by either laying flat or socketing. Notices will be placed at headstones which have been laid flat to notify the owner and provide information on the next steps they can take. Alternatively, owners can arrange their own independent inspection/remedial works if they wish ahead of our public safety inspections.
Works are carried out solely by specially trained Council staff, who at all times endeavour to work with respect and as sensitively as possible.
I hope this information is helpful but if you have any queries, please get in touch with the Cemeteries Office on 0300 100 1800."
Anne Snoddy, Secretary, Community Council of the Royal Burgh of Peebles and District.
The back road from Peebles to Walkerburn via Innerleithen (B7062) currently has a temporary 40mph speed limit. It is one of three routes in the Borders designated a 'quiet road' by SBC.
Philippa Gilhooley of SBC is now seeking our thoughts on the permanent introduction of the 40mph speed limit:
- Are you aware of any increase in walking or cycling on the B7062 since the introduction of the Quiet Roads initiative?
- Do you view the 40mph speed limit as beneficial, a waste of money, pointless or are you neutral on the subject?
- Do you think that the 40mph speed limit is being adhered to?
- Do you live along the route?
- Generally, what are your thoughts and views on retaining the 40mph or reverting back to the national speed limit?
If you would like to submit your thoughts please email the Secretary at secretary@ccrbpeebles.co.uk or drop them in at the Eastgate Theatre marked for the attention of Peebles Community Council.
The Tweeddale Society have organised a talk on the Eastgate Story as a fund raiser for the Eastgate as part of the 20th anniversary.
It’s on Tues 3rd September at 7.30 with an introduction by Mary Daykan on the Under One Roof organisation followed by a talk by the award winning Architect, Richard Murphy, who designed the Theatre. The cost is £15 per seat.
10am Wed 26 June 2024, Meeting point Apple maps, Google maps, What 3 Words
Peebles Community Council will hold hustings from 7pm until 9pm on Monday 24th June in the Burgh Hall, Chambers Institution, Peebles.
Candidates
There are seven candidates standing in our constituency of Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale and all of them have accepted our invitation to attend.
- Conservative and Unionist Party: David Mundell
- Labour Party: Daniel Coleman
- Liberal Democrats: Drummond Begg
- Reform UK: David Alexander Kirkwood
- Scottish Green Party: Dominic Ashmole
- Scottish Family Party: Gareth Kirk
- Scottish National Party: Kim Marshall
Hustings format
They will each have a few minutes to present their views and then they will answer questions from the public.
Questions in advance
Some questions will be submitted to the candidates in advance so they can prepare their answers.
If you would like to submit a question please email the Secretary at secretary@ccrbpeebles.co.uk or drop it in at the Eastgate Theatre marked for the attention of Peebles Community Council.
The
This is an opportunity to actively participate in the democratic process. We look forward to seeing you there.
Please note addition of event on 13th June 2024.
Scottish Borders Council has launched a brand-new suite of digital tools designed to make it even easier for Borderers to stay on top of their waste and recycling. Read more here, or click here to use the tool.
Peebles Community Council needs your help with the Peebles in Bloom competition this summer. There are many beautiful gardens in Peebles, and we feel it is important to recognise all the hard work which goes into making this town such an attractive place to live in and to visit, so we'd hate to miss any!
In July Community Councillors will walk all around the town looking at front gardens and business premises in order to produce a list of gardens and displays that they feel are worthy of consideration – so don’t worry if you see someone studying your garden and making notes on a clipboard, it’s probably just one of us! Then there is a review to create a short list followed by a tour by independent judges who make the final decisions.
We need the
- If you know of a
front garden which is really special then please tell us. That way we can be sure we won’t miss any. - We need to be told about any
‘Secret Gardens’ – as they cannot be seen from the pavement, such as the ones hiding behind stone walls, high hedges and fences.
The Secret Gardens category is just one of ten categories. The others are Very Small Garden, Small Garden, Medium Garden, Large Garden, All Year Round Garden, Business Premises, Courtyard Garden, Best Street and Community Garden. There will be a trophy for the best Community Garden this year, as well as the usual certificate, thanks to the generosity of Garry Rennie of Peebles Auction House.
The
We will be in touch shortly with last year’s winners in order to collect in the trophies.
Community Council contact details
Email: Anne Snoddy (Secretary) secretary@ccrbpeebles.co.uk
Phone: 07980 587139
Address: c/o Eastgate Theatre, Eastgate, Peebles EH45 8AD
There were a number of ways for community members to provide their thoughts and feedback in April and May including via an online survey, at local in-person workshops, drop-ins and pop-ups.
Find out more A Plan for Peebles
