Center Parcs announces its inaugural holiday project in Scotland, poised to transform regional tourism.
- The proposed village near Hawick will cost approximately £350-400 million, marking a significant investment.
- Planning for around 700 lodges, the application is anticipated in 2025.
- The site promises robust economic benefits, including the creation of approximately 1,200 jobs locally.
- Sustainability and biodiversity are central to the development’s ethos, enhancing local ecology.
Center Parcs has revealed plans to establish its first Scottish holiday village near Hawick, a project positioned to reshape leisure and tourism in the Scottish Borders. The resort is expected to cost between £350 million and £400 million, illustrating a substantial investment in the region.
Set to include approximately 700 lodges, the development is in its nascent stages, with plans to submit a detailed planning application by 2025. Colin McKinlay, the company’s chief executive, expressed the project’s potential to significantly boost local and regional economies, describing it as a ‘tremendously exciting project’.
The proposed site is expected to draw numerous visitors from Scotland and beyond, offering families an opportunity to holiday closer to home. This initiative aligns with the longstanding popularity of Center Parcs destinations across the UK and Ireland, supported by strong demand for an additional location.
The economic implications of the development are considerable, with the creation of an estimated 1,200 jobs locally, both during and post-construction. The project’s alignment with the South of Scotland’s 2024-34 responsible tourism strategy aims to increase job opportunities within the visitor economy, striving for a 20% contribution towards the decade-long regional target.
Sustainability is at the forefront of this undertaking, with Center Parcs maintaining a commitment to ecological enhancement and biodiversity. The project’s promise to generate substantial biodiversity net gain, including extensive tree planting, underscores its environmental credentials.
David Hope-Jones of The South of Scotland Destination Alliance highlighted the immense scale of the investment and its potential to elevate the region’s profile as a year-round destination. With plans for extensive community engagement, the project is designed to integrate seamlessly with local aspirations and economic strategies.
Center Parcs’ potential entry into Scotland marks a pivotal moment for regional tourism, promising significant economic and environmental benefits.
