Center Parcs unveils plans to build £400m holiday park in the Scottish Borders

Development near Hawick would create up to 2,000 jobs

Center Parcs has today (Tuesday) announced it is developing proposals to create its first holiday village in Scotland.

The site chosen for the 400-lodge village is in the Scottish Borders, approximately three miles north of Hawick.

During the construction phase of the project, up to 800 jobs will be created.

And, once operational, there’s estimated to be a further 1,200 permanent non-seasonal jobs.

The investment – which includes the planting of a new forest – is estimated to be between £350m-£400m.

A presentation to community and business leaders at Hawick Rugby Club this morning heard the investment would be an “economic game-changer” for the region’s tourism industry.

Proposals are at an early stage and the UK leisure operator intends to submit a planning application in 2025, with a potential opening date in 2028.

The proposed village will 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 will offer 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 plans to undertake an extensive programme of afforestation, carefully cultivating a new woodland and delivering significant biodiversity net gain on the site. Currently, the site is predominantly open grassland with some woodland areas.

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.

“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.”

A website outlining the plans – www.centerparcsscotland.co.uk – will go live shortly and will provide updates on the project.

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