Today, Monday 7 March, Scottish Borders Councils Planning and Buildings Standards Committee approved in principle an application to build a new Lidl store and five industrial units at the Borders Gateway development at Tweedbank despite being recommended for refusal by planning officers.

The Committee approved the application in principle and has delegated authority to planning officers, in consultation with the Committee Chairman, to agree suitable landscape conditions. If agreement can be reached then the application can be signed off and approved by planning officers meaning it would not have to be returned to the planning committee.

The application had overwhelming public support with more than 1200 residents responding to a survey with 82% supporting the plans and over 100 positive comments left on the SBC planning portal.

Lidl GB’s Regional head of Property, Gordon Rafferty, commented: “This decision is great news for the Scottish Borders and in particular the residents of Tweedbank and the surrounding area. Our multi million pound investment will create new jobs for the local economy and we very much look forward to bringing our fresh, quality and great value produce to the new store. We are grateful for all the support and look forward to finalising the details of the application and getting started on construction in due course.”

New Land Assets Managing Director, Duncan Hamilton, said: “We are pleased by the committee’s decision today and we look forward to working with the planning officers to finalise the landscaping details. I want to thank the committee for recognising the positive aspects of the application and also residents of Tweedbank and the surrounding area for the support they gave our plans.”

The first phase of works has already started on the Borders Gateway Development to build a petrol filling station and a Costa drive thru. A new entrance off Tweedbank Drive will also be created as part of the approved plans.

The Borders Gateway will create over 100 new jobs for local people in Tweedbank and the surrounding area.