'It's time to look to the future' - 'Eyesore' building in centre of Jedburgh is flattened
Last updated 17th May 2023
The controlled dismantling of an "eyesore" building in the centre of Jedburgh is now complete.
Number two, the High Street, had been under scaffolding for years amid concerns over its safety.
As well as blighting the look of the abbey town, a gateway for visitors to Scotland from England, it also forced the introduction of a new one-way system.
Scottish Borders Council took ownership of the dilapidated building through a Compulsory Purchase Order.
It says construction of its replacement - which includes a new retail space below a block of flats - is anticipated to start early in the New Year.
READ MORE: Drink-driver who crashed after failing to obey road closed sign is disqualified from driving
A planning application submitted last year has been approved, allowing for further design development to take place.
The works were due to be completed last month. But the local authority blamed unexpected additional works, including archaeological works in the basement, for the delay.
Commencement of the construction of the new building is anticipated to start once a procurement process has been undertaken to identify a contractor for the project.
Once finished, the building will contain a commercial space occupying the ground level and a new apartment block of affordable housing consisting of three flats on the upper levels.
READ MORE: Sandwich chain Subway issues update following sudden closure of two branches in Scottish Borders
Local councillor Scott Hamilton, SBC's Executive Member for Community & Business, said: “There can be no denying that this particular project to demolish the original building standing at 2 High Street Jedburgh has been tricky from the outset.
“The Council took control of the building through a compulsory purchase order and had no other option but to demolish the building given its state of disrepair.
“I am extremely pleased to see that the demolition phase has been completed and the focus can now turn to the construction of the new building taking its place offering vibrant commercial spaces and much needed local housing.”
The demolition of the property was "bitter-sweet" though, he added.
"If it had been maintained in the first instance we could have kept that building there," Councillor Scott told Greatest Hits Radio. "But it wasn't, so now we've got to look forward to the future; and that future consists of a new development there, which will bring retail premises on the ground floor, and accommodation on the floors above.
"That will bring people into the High Street - living there, working there - and that can only be a positive for the town moving forward."
For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our new home page - https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/