Plans for a new Center Parcs holiday village in the Scottish Borders have moved forward with the approval of a key preliminary step in the planning process.
The company has submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PoAN) to the Scottish Borders Council, marking the initial stage before a full planning application is expected later this year.
The PoAN is not a formal planning application but serves to outline how Center Parcs intends to engage with local stakeholders regarding the development.
The process allows community members to provide input before detailed plans are officially submitted, according to a report by Border Telegraph.
Scottish Borders Council has already endorsed the notice, with a spokesperson confirming that it “satisfies the minimum statutory consultation activities that are required.”
The proposed development, located just north of Hawick, would introduce Center Parcs’ first Scottish site, featuring up to 700 lodges, a spa, an indoor water park, and a variety of leisure, retail, and dining facilities.
The project is expected to generate significant economic activity, with an estimated 750 to 800 construction jobs and approximately 1,200 permanent, non-seasonal roles once operational. The total investment is projected to be between £350 million and £400 million.
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality and holiday park industries, the expansion of Center Parcs into Scotland highlights the increasing demand for high-quality, year-round resort-style accommodations.
The move aligns with broader industry trends of integrating wellness, recreation, and experiential travel into large-scale developments.
Additionally, the commitment to regional contractors presents opportunities for local businesses to engage with a major industry player.
Center Parcs currently operates six holiday villages across the UK and Ireland, including locations in Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Wiltshire, Cumbria, Bedfordshire, and Ireland.
If the planning process continues smoothly, the Scottish Borders site could become a significant addition to the company’s portfolio, further shaping the competitive landscape of the UK’s holiday park sector.