Solar park plans WON'T cast shadow on Center Parcs proposed new holiday village near Hawick, meeting told
Last updated 12th Nov 2024
Plans to build a huge solar farm near Hawick WON'T stop Center Parcs pushing ahead with its own proposals for a new 700-lodge holiday village on the opposite side of the A7.
That's according to CEO Colin McKinlay, who answered questions on the leisure operator's proposed development at last night's meeting of the community council.
Members heard Stirches Renewable Energy Park would be less than a mile away from Center Parcs £400 million development, if both are approved.
Mr McKinlay told an audience of more than 60 people gathered in the Town Hall: "We do love the Scottish countryside, but we also recognise that there are other projects, other proposals.
"The presence of a solar farm would not deter us at all from moving forward.
"We're aware of those proposals and we've entered into the agreement that we have knowing that those proposals are there."
The meeting had to be moved from the Lesser Town Hall given the interest in Center Parcs plans to build a new holiday village - with around 14 bars and restaurants, water park, shop and spa.
Community councillor Cameron Knox, who chaired the meeting, told Greatest Hits Radio: "There's a real buzz in the town (since the news first broke), it's a kick-start project for the area going forward.
"Colin is very proud of his Scottish connections and it is the place they want to be.
"It's the land that the Scottish Government has kind of forgotten about. Scotland starts at the border, and this project will make sure that Hawick and the Borders is on the map."
As well as creating up to 2,000 jobs - 1,200 of those permanent - it's anticipated Center Parcs would attract an additional 250,000 visitors to the area every year, and generate around £27million for the local economy annually.
Concerns are being raised over the potential for an increase in construction traffic.
But Selkirk Community Council secretary Alistair Pattullo, who also welcomed the Center Parcs team to their meeting in the Victoria Halls last night, is welcoming the investment.
He said: "We're going to have to deal with all of that, but I think we'll get the advantages as well. The village that they built in Ireland looks like a huge success, and if we get anything like the rubble from that, it will be great."
Center Parcs unveiled its vision for the Scottish Borders at a special briefing for local community and business leaders at Hawick Rugby Club last Tuesday.
The leisure operator revealed the region was chosen from more than 100 possible locations for the company's first Scottish site.
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"It's incredible news," Councillor Watson McAteer - Borders Council's convener - said. "We've been fighting for long enough to get Hawick and the Borders on the map. We always talk about people travelling through the area, now we've got a reason for people to stop.
"It will lighten the place up, and make people a lot happier than they've been. It's the future. We've talked about tourism being the opportunity for the Borders, well here it is."
And Selkirkshire Councillor Caroline Cochrane added: "It's just the best news ever, it's like an early Christmas present."
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