Local councillor Robin Tatler visited this morning (Fri 25 Mar 2022) to see for himself what the proposals for Kingsmeadows entail.

"Proposing to fell this many trees - and in the Peebles Conservation Area - I can't see how that's right. I for one am resolutely opposed. And this is not a new issue for me. Back in 2015 as an active member of Peebles Community Trust I was involved in a proposal to purchase the woodlands for the Peebles community."

A leading campaigner from Peebles Community Trust, Crick Carlton, was quoted by the Peeblesshire News in 2015 commenting on Granton's acquisition of Kingsmeadows:

"It's all very disappointing ... I know that the woodland is protected but I am not sure this would prevent developers from chancing their arm. Our biggest fear now is that the funding of the purchase of the estate will in part be offset by application to build and sell off additional housing – which is not an appropriate use for this B-listed wooded estate."

Councillor Tatler suggests that it may be time for a renewed campaign to take the woodland into community ownership, perhaps led by Peebles Community Trust:

"We've just got to save these woods for the town. We've had assurances before which have now been ignored – we can't take any more chances. We need to transfer these woodlands into community ownership to protect them for the benefit of the people of Peebles and we need to do it as soon as possible."