CENTER Parcs has unveiled £350-400 million plans for the creation of its first holiday village in Scotland amidst ‘significant’ demand for domestic short breaks.
A site approximately three miles from Hawick in the Scottish Borders has been identified for the new village, with Center Parcs signing an agreement with the land owners, Buccleuch Group, for 1,000 acres of land – with the development expected to extend to 400 acres.
The proposed village would be a similar concept to its existing six holiday resorts in England and Ireland, with plans for the creation of approximately 700 lodges. The site would also offer a range of indoor and outdoor activities, shops, bars, restaurants, an Aqua Sana Forest Spa, and Center Parcs’ indoor water park, the Subtropical Swimming Paradise.
An ‘extensive’ programme of afforestation would also be undertaken, with plans to carefully cultivate a new woodland and deliver significant biodiversity net gain on the site. Currently, the site is predominantly open grassland with some woodland areas.
Center Parcs said that 750-800 ‘mainly regional’ jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase, with the company adding that local contractors will be used ‘where possible’. Once operational, the village is expected to create around 1,200 permanent non-seasonal jobs.
Proposals are currently at an early stage with Center Parcs intending on submitting a planning application in 2025.
Colin McKinlay, CEO 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.
“Sustainability is core to our values. In our three decades of operating in the UK 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.”
Benny Higgins, executive chairman of the Buccleuch Group, added, “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.”
