Newtown St Boswells

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Newton St Boswells
Gaelic: Baile Ùr Chille Bhoisil
Roxburghshire
Location
Grid reference: NT5756
Location: 55°34’48"N, 2°39’-0"W
Data
Population: 1,200  (2001)
Post town: Melrose
Postcode: TD6
Dialling code: 01835
Local Government
Council: Scottish Borders
Parliamentary
constituency:
Berwickshire,
Roxburgh and Selkirk
Part of the Scottish Borders council offices at Newtown St Boswells

Newtown St Boswells is a village in Roxburghshire. Lying on the Bowden Burn, Newtown St Boswells is situated between the larger settlements of St Boswells to the south-east and Melrose to the north-west. It lies split between their respective parishes.

History

Newtown St Boswells is an old settlement, well-established by the 16th century. The town has been known at various times as Newtoune, Newtown of Eildon, Neuton and Newtown of Dryburgh.

Historically, Newtown St Boswells was a centre for milling grain, with watermills on its burns. It became a regional centre of communication and an exporter of livestock after the opening of its railway station. This importance has declined since the closure of the station in 1969.

Development proposals

A major housing development, which could double the population of the village, has been generally agreed. This will add 900 homes to the village.[1] The scheduled re-opening of the Waverley railway line, which will connect the nearby village of Tweedbank with Edinburgh, may provide opportunities for the village to become a commuter settlement.

Proposals to expand and move the town's livestock auction facilities to the other side of the A68 road were approved in 2007, freeing up space for residential building.[2]

References

Outside links

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