Center Parcs unveils masterplan for new holiday village in the Scottish Borders
Last updated 26th Mar 2025
Center Parcs has unveiled the masterplan for its new 700-lodge holiday village in the Scottish Borders.
Locals got their first glimpse of the proposed layout of the site at a public drop-in event in Denholm Village Hall this afternoon (Wednesday).
If approved, it's hoped work can start on the £400 million development - just off the A7 north of Hawick - early next year.
Attending today's event, Colin McKinlay, chief executive of Center Parcs, said: "Significant technical and design work is taking place behind the scenes as we work towards making our ambition of bringing Center Parcs to the Scottish Borders a reality.
“As our project team continues to develop plans and engage with the community, we are delighted to reveal the first iteration of our masterplan.
"These consultation events are essential in allowing us to gather feedback and refine our proposals.
"Our goal is to create a destination that integrates seamlessly with the natural environment while providing high-quality accommodation and leisure experiences for families."
As well as 700 lodges and apartments, the proposals also include a Subtropical Swimming Paradise and Village Centre; Aqua Sana Forest Spa; a newly created loch, designed for sports and recreational activities; a nature and heritage centre with an adjacent restaurant and coffee shop; Wildflower meadows and nature walks.
It's envisaged the development would create 1,200 permanent jobs, and support a further 800 during the construction phase.
Architect Luke Hunter is part of the design team. He told Greatest Hits Radio: "We've obviously got a long driveway from the A7, which builds excitement for the guests. And then we've created a guest route within the site that carries you fairly quickly through some mature woodland, which immediately gives guests the typical known Center Parcs feel.
"And then, as you break out of that woodland, you arrive at the iconic Subtropical Swimming Paradise building; so a real sort of 'wow factor' scene greets you as you exit the trees."
And he added: "We're creating a forest as part of the project - incorporating all the iconic buildings and activities of Center Parcs, but in a new bespoke way that is tailored by the site; that also grounds itself in the Scottish Borders, and takes advantage of attractive views to hills such Ruberslaw, Minto and Eildon Hills."
The holiday village would be Center Parcs first in Scotland and is anticipated to attract 250,000 visitors a year - generating around £27 million spend in the local economy annually.
Further drop-in events are planned at Selkirk Rugby Club on Thursday, April 24th; and Hawick Rugby Club on Tuesday, May 20th - between 2pm and 7pm; with an open day to follow at Hawick Rugby Club on Wednesday, May 21st - between 11am and 7pm.
Mr McKinlay said: “This first step towards applying for planning permission to realise our vision is an extremely important moment for us, and we are fully committed to a thorough programme of community engagement and consultation before the full planning application is submitted.
“We know from experience the significant economic and social benefits a Center Parcs village brings to the local area, and we are excited at the prospect of bringing a Center Parcs village to the Scottish Borders, creating a fantastic destination for families.
“We have already received extremely valuable feedback from the community, and we want to ensure that as many local people as possible see what we propose and are able to ask questions and provide feedback.”
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