Plans for Scotland’s first Center Parcs wins backing of Scottish Borders Council

Scotland’s first Center Parcs holiday village has taken a major step forward, after winning the unanimous approval of local councillors.

Planning permission has been granted for work to begin on the £450m development near Hawick in the Scottish Borders in 2026.

As well as supporting around 800 jobs during the two-year construction phase – between 2027 and 2029 – the park will create 1,200 permanent positions.

The scale of the plans had led to about 40 objections, mainly regarding visual and landscape impact, loss of farmland, traffic concerns and noise.

But members of Scottish Borders Council’s planning committee were satisfied with the mitigating measures provided by Center Parcs.

Hawick councillor Stuart Marshall said: “This is a momentous day for Hawick and surrounding area.

“There has been growing excitement ever since Center Parcs first announced they were coming and today we can finally celebrate.”

The park will feature 700 holiday lodges as well as a purpose-built activity loch, an indoor swimming complex, restaurants and cafes, retail outlets, a health spa and a heritage centre.

Forests and flowering meadows will also be created on the 988-acre (400 ha) site around two miles north of Hawick.

South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) have calculated that Center Parcs – by attracting around 350,000 visitors each year and supporting 1,200 jobs – will boost the local economy by £27m each year.

The holiday village is also expected to spark a surge in house-building around the southern Borders.

Prof Russell Griggs, chair of SOSE, said: “As soon as Center Parcs announced their plans to come here, we had building companies calling us about any vacant sites.

“Here is someone coming here that’s going to spend £450m and create 1,200 jobs – this will transform the Hawick area.”