A NEW "luxury" development is set to bring holiday lodges and a golf course to the Scottish Borders.
Proposed to be built on a site between Carlops and West Linton, developers Sandy Lane Resort Rutherford say the Rutherford Park holiday development will host 79 "luxury lodges", with 10% adapted for mobility use.
An 18-hole golf course will also be built on the 80-hectare site, along with a pitch-and-putt offering, a gym and a small shop.
The developers originally pitched a larger version of the development in 2019, with over 250 lodges and a campsite proposed.
But, after doing further market research and community consultation, they pared down the proposal to the current offering, which has been submitted for planning permission.
A frequent minibus service to West Linton will be established for visitors to the holiday park, and the developers are working with Houston's Coaches to enhance bus service near the site.
Electric bikes will also be provided for visitors, as well as a drop-off area.
The company behind the development expects that it will create 17 jobs, and that the site will mark an £11.6 million investment into the Borders.
Some 80,000 new trees are also expected to be planted in the development, and the company has pledged to buy locally where possible.
A spokesperson for Sandy Lane Resort Rutherford Ltd said: "A development such as Rutherford Park will serve to take advantage of the growing short break staycation market, as well as increased visitor demand generally, boosting bed nights and spend in the region.
“What is being proposed is a greatly reduced scheme from the one originally envisaged, taking account of community concerns, and will not only deliver an economic boost to the Borders, but also provide major ecological enhancements for the site, including the delivery of a minimum of 80,000 trees.
“We look forward to continuing to engage with the council and local community as our application progresses through the planning process.”
