FIRST minister John Swinney has marked the start of works on Center Parcs’ first ever Scottish village by planting the first trees at the Borders site.
Mr Swinney was joined by schoolchildren from the Borders as well as Center Parcs’ CEO Colin McKinlay as afforestation began at the site between Hawick and Selkirk.
The event marked a key milestone in the creation of the £450 million village, which is expected to create around 1,200 jobs and contribute £75 million annually to the Scottish Borders economy.
During the visit, the first minister also confirmed the Scottish Government’s commitment to provide up to £30 million to deliver the essential infrastructure needed to make the resort possible. This funding will support enabling works to prepare the site, whilst also providing significant benefit for communities living in the Scottish Borders.
John Swinney said, “Economic growth must reach the people and places that need it most. Investing in the south of Scotland through this project is a direct expression of our belief that every part of Scotland deserves to benefit from a growing economy.
“Investing here is a deliberate statement that we are serious about reducing regional inequality and creating genuine opportunity for young people – 30% of these 1,200 jobs are targeted at 16-to-24-year-olds. It is a privilege to be here with local school children to start planting new trees for the site and I look forward to seeing the development of the project before the resort opens in 2029.”
As part of the development, Center Parcs will create an entirely new forest – the first time the company has established woodland from scratch when developing a new village.
Hundreds of thousands of trees will be planted across the site, forming woodland that will mature over the coming decades.
Planting will gather pace over the coming months, with more than 30 species of trees and plants planned for the site ahead of the main development phase. The trees have been grown in Scotland, using seed gathered from across the Scottish Borders, with the contract for supplying the trees being awarded to Alba Trees.
Colin McKinlay, CEO of Center Parcs, commented, “This marks another momentous milestone in the creation of Center Parcs Scottish Borders and it is fantastic that the first minister and local schoolchildren were able to join us as we begin work on site. It was hugely important for us to involve local children today because the benefits Center Parcs Scottish Borders will bring will have a long-lasting and transformative effect on the future of this area in terms of jobs, the economy and the environment.”
Center Parcs Scottish Borders will feature up to 700 lodges and apartments, a Subtropical Swimming Paradise, a village centre with shops and restaurants, and signature Aqua Sana Forest Spa.
Plans also include two newly created lochs designed for water sports and recreation, a combined Nature and Heritage Centre, wildflower meadows, wetlands and nature trails to support biodiversity, alongside a wide range of outdoor activities integrated into the landscape.
Professor Russel Griggs OBE, chair of South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), added, “This is a significant moment for the south of Scotland, with Center Parcs being one of a number of big investments we are currently welcoming to our region. Center Parcs presents massive opportunities and will help diversify the visitor economy, attract new people, deliver inclusive growth and provide significant supply chain opportunities for SMEs and entrepreneurs.”
The village will lie to the east of the A7 trunk road between Hawick and Selkirk on land owned by the Buccleuch Group following an option agreement with Center Parcs. The agreement covers approximately 1,000 acres of land, with the main development occupying around 400 acres on the eastern section of the site.
Benny Higgins, executive chairman of the Buccleuch Group, said, “This is an exciting step forward for a project that will bring lasting economic and environmental benefits to the Scottish Borders, and we are delighted to be working with Center Parcs to help make it a reality.”
