The Hawick News has learned that officials from Scottish Borders Counci and Historic Scotland met on site on Tuesday to discuss the future of the former Wilton Mills building.

But what has heightened tensions is that Hawick & Hermitage councillor George Turnbull did attend the meeting, without the knowledge of his colleagues.

Speaking to the Hawick News, Councillor Davie Paterson blasted: "I want to know why councillors were not told and why ward members were not invited."

Wilton Mill is a Grade B listed building in part of the town's Conservation Area and has been earmarked for residential developent as part of the council's draft plan for Commercial Road, which also includes proposals for a business and retail park.

But councillor Paterson has criticised both the nature of the site meeting and the actions of his fellow Hawick & Hermitage member Mr Turnbull.

"This could be Hawick's future we are talking about here and nothing should spoil it," said Mr Paterson. "I want to know how Councillor Turnbull knew about the meeting and who he was representing. He has previously declared an interest in Commercial Road at a community council meeting and he should not have attended this meeting. I think it's appalling that he didn't even think to let his fellow councillors know."

But councillor Turnbull says he has done nothing wrong. Speaking to the Hawick News this week, he said: "At community council I did declare an interest as I work nearby (at Bruce Motors], but I have no financial gain if any development was to affect that site, therefore I possibly shouldn't have declared any interest.

"I was at the meeting because I had previously contacted Health and Safety regarding recent fires behind the Tendraheath building and in the clock tower as well as due to the very nature of the surrounding buildings. But councillors were not invited because it was not that sort of meeting." He added: "Later that night at a Provost's Council meeting I fully informed the councillors of the (site] meeting."

However, Councillor Stuart Marshall is still furious: "I'm extremely annoyed that officers held a meeting to discuss Wilton Mills and didn't have the courtesy to involve me, as the only Hawick councillor on the development committee which has put a lot of work into this."

The Hawick News understands that the rest of the town's councillors are also unhappy with the situation.

Hawick & Denholm councillor Mr Marshall went on: "I've been given an apology and assurances that in future I will be kept up to full speed. Commercial Road is a hugely important issue for the future development of Hawick and the council will have my support, but it is not good practise to keep us out something so vital."

A spokeswoman for Historic Scotland, who confirmed that one of its representatives attended the meeting, commented: "Wilton Mill is a good surviving complex of mill buildings and is recognised for its regional significance. We will continue to consult with the council to assess the extent of the damage and consider future options for the building."

The Hawick News understands that a decision is imminent.

Although SBC enforcement officer Alan Gueldner, who called the meeting, could not be contacted yesterday, we received the following statement from the council: "We have now been made aware of Councillor Paterson's concerns and will respond to him directly. It's not clear at this stage why the meeting took place without him but we will look into it."