The new properties are set in the grounds of Eildon’s award-winning extra care development, Poynder Apartments, and are built in the same art deco style in keeping with the heritage and design of the surrounding buildings.

The 16-home development consists of six 2-bedroom 4-person houses, eight 3-bedroom 5-person houses and two 3-bedroom 5-person wheelchair bungalows. A local lettings plan was used to target local specific needs and achieve a balanced mix of tenants.

Although sympathetic to the art deco design, the properties are bang up to date with sustainable heating technology. They all have air source heat pumps - a renewable, carbon net-zero heating solution that has been in use in the UK for over two decades. With improvements in technology, air-source is a very efficient electric heating system and much more efficient and environmentally friendly than oil and gas. Each property has its own private rear garden and non-designated parking spaces.

Incoming tenant Ashley Johnston said: “My husband and I can’t wait to move into our new home at Poynder Gardens. We have 6-month-old twin baby girls and have been living with family in the meantime so this move will be perfect for us. Living here will mean I will still be near my parents who are only ten minutes away, near to work and my friends. Kelso is home to me, so it is great to be able to stay here even though it will be strange living opposite my old high school which is now Poynder Apartments!”

Nile Istephan, chief executive of Eildon, said: “We are justly proud of this latest development which was another unique project for Kelso. The design was sympathetic to this historic site, but we’ve created stylish new homes built to the latest spec and in a terrific location. We are delighted that they completed in time to give more people a great start to 2024.”

The £3.7 million development was designed by architects Aitken Turnbull, and constructed by local developer M&J Ballantyne, engineer Wardell Armstrong and employer’s agent, Langmuir & Hay. Funding of £1.73m was provided by the Scottish Government with Eildon sourcing private finance of £1.92m.