A BORDERS farmer is planning to set up a website to collate complaints against a proposed housing development in Galashiels.

In November, disgruntled residents voiced their concerns over building 69 homes on contaminated land near Coopersknowe Crescent.

And they claim the issues they have raised have still not been addressed. Now Tom Douglas, who is a Melrose community councillor, wants to give others the chance to have their say.

He told us: “The website is just a thought at the moment, but it would give people a chance to post their concerns. The focus is on the Coopersknowe development at the moment, but the site will give people the opportunity to comment on all council-related matters they are unhappy with.”

The idea comes after it was revealed Eildon wants to build the houses and a children’s play area on the site of a former sheep dipping pond.

John Birnie, who is chairman of the Coopersknowe Residents Association, added: “We have asked Eildon about the contaminated land at the site, but we have not had any answers back. The residents in the area just want peace of mind.

“We saw the story the other week about the increasing levels of harmful gases at the nearby landfill site. We are worried that this and the contamination in the ground will be detrimental to our health. We just want to know that it is safe before any work begins.”

In November, environmental watchdog SEPA told the Border Telegraph they were aware of the contamination issues at Coopersknowe and had been working with Eildon to ensure the work was carried out safely.

John Duncan, Eildon Housing’s director of property assets said: “We have engaged a suitably qualified and experienced engineer who has carried out comprehensive site surveys, discussed and agreed remedial solutions with Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

“All remedial work will be supervised by our engineer and completed to the satisfaction of both SEPA and Scottish Borders Council’s Building Control.”