Center Parcs has unveiled ambitious plans to launch its inaugural holiday village in Scotland, representing an investment that could reach £400 million and is anticipated to generate approximately 1,200 jobs.
The proposed site is situated within the scenic Scottish Borders, just three miles north of Hawick and a mere 55 miles from Edinburgh, as reported by .
At this preliminary stage, Center Parcs anticipates submitting a planning application by 2025.
During the construction phase, the company expects to create up to 800 jobs, primarily for regional workers, with a commitment to engaging local contractors wherever feasible.
Upon completion, the holiday village is set to offer around 1,200 permanent, non-seasonal positions.
The Scottish venture is poised to mirror the concept of Center Parcs' six existing holiday villages across England and Ireland.
Subject to planning consent, the new site will feature around 700 lodges and a plethora of amenities including indoor and outdoor activities, retail outlets, dining establishments, an Aqua Sana Forest Spa, and the iconic Subtropical Swimming Paradise water park.
Currently, the chosen location is mainly open grassland interspersed with patches of woodland.
Center Parcs has highlighted the significant economic benefits this development would bring to the local area.
Colin McKinlay, CEO of Center Parcs, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: "This is a tremendously exciting project and offers the opportunity to transform leisure and tourism in the Scottish Borders."
He added, "Center Parcs is an exceptionally popular destination for families in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ 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."
"Sustainability is core to our values. In our three decades of operating in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ and Ireland, we have transformed areas of commercial woodland into a rich tapestry of flora and fauna, considerably enhancing the biodiversity of each village."
"This site gives us the opportunity to take a bold, new approach and create a woodland ourselves, delivering significant biodiversity net gain and planting thousands of new trees."
"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 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 1,000 acres of land, comprising open grassland and some woodland. It is expected that development on the site will extend to 400 acres.
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."
