Egg farm land move by community

The group wants to buy the land where the farm is planned

A community group has registered an interest in buying land where an £8m egg farm is planned in Peeblesshire.

About 20 residents living between West Linton and Romanno Bridge have formed a limited company to make the move.

They have registered an interest in turning the area into a community-owned wildlife tourist attraction.

John Campbell's Glenrath Farms currently owns the land and has said he would only consider selling if refused planning permission for the scheme.

The planned development would see 11 large chicken sheds at Hamilton Hall housing about 300,000 birds.

If approved, it is claimed the plans would create 60 new jobs in the area.

Environmental concerns

The Blythbank Action Group has said it has environmental concerns about the scheme.

It has protested against the plans for over a year.

Now a group called the Langstruther Community Enterprise Ltd has registered an interest in the land.

Under the Community Right to Buy scheme the group could have first option on the land - but only if it goes on sale and it is given Scottish Executive approval.

Last year the executive rejected council calls for an Environmental Impact Assessment when it approved one of the sheds.

It ruled the first structure would not have a significant impact on the area.

The shed was damaged by fire earlier this year.