HOLIDAY firm Center Parcs has announced it is developing proposals to create its first holiday village in Scotland.
The proposed village is said to be a similar concept to Center Parcs’ existing six holiday villages in England and Ireland, and a planning application will be submitted for approximately 700 lodges.
The site chosen for the village is in the Scottish Borders, approximately three miles north of Hawick and 55 miles south of Edinburgh.
The site lies to the east of the A7 trunk road between Hawick and Selkirk on land owned by the Buccleuch Group, which has signed an option agreement with Center Parcs. The agreement covers approximately 1000 acres of land, with the development on the site expected to extend to 400 acres.
Proposals are at an early stage and Center Parcs intends to submit a planning application in 2025. During the construction phase of the project, the company estimates 750-800 regional jobs will be created, and pledged to use local contractors.
The site will include a range of indoor and outdoor activities, shops, bars, restaurants, an Aqua Sana Forest Spa and Center Parcs’ iconic indoor water park, the Subtropical Swimming Paradise.
Center Parcs also plans to undertake an extensive programme of tree planting as currently, to transform the site by expanding existing woods.
Representatives of the holiday firm outlined proposals in Hawick today to a gathering of community leaders and business and political representatives.
Colin McKinlay, chief executive officer of Center Parcs, said: “This is a tremendously exciting project and offers the opportunity to transform leisure and tourism in the Scottish Borders. Center Parcs is an exceptionally popular destination for families in the UK and Ireland and there is robust demand to support a seventh village.
“Throughout our history, we have demonstrated that a Center Parcs village provides significant economic benefits locally, regionally and nationally.
“Many Scottish families already visit Center Parcs villages in England, and this village will offer the chance for people to enjoy their holidays closer to home, which in turn will benefit the local economy."
He added: “We are at an early stage with these proposals and have a lengthy and thorough planning process ahead. We have already conducted a significant number of surveys to assess the site and we intend to continue with additional site surveys and design development, alongside a programme of pre-planning application consultation and community engagement.”
The estimated investment to build the new village will be between £350 million to £400m.
Benny Higgins, executive chairman of the Buccleuch Group, said: “This project promises to have an outstandingly positive impact on tourism and leisure in the Scottish Borders and we are delighted to have signed an option agreement that will enable Center Parcs to take the next steps towards fulfilling its ambitions.”
