Thursday January 16th 2025
An example of a Center Parcs Executive Lodge.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A full environmental assessment will be needed before plans for a £350m holiday park near Hawick can move forward, it has been confirmed.
There was great excitement locally late last year when Center Parcs announced proposals for its first Scottish holiday village on land between Hawick and Selkirk.
The new resort incorporating Huntlaw Farm at Hassendean could create up to 1,200 jobs.
Center Parcs currently attracts millions of visitors a year to its six sites across the UK and Ireland.
The plan is to build about 700 lodges with a range of indoor and outdoor activities including an indoor water park.
Now Scottish Borders Council has confirmed that a full Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) will be needed due to the potential impact on the land involved.
A report from the council’s ecology officer states: “In my opinion, the proposal required an EIA due to the proposed changes in topography which are proposed, in particular for the new pond/loch area.
“In relation to biodiversity the following sensitive receptors have been identified for which significant effects are likely; The Huntlaw Burn, Newlands Burn and Dealy Burns which run through the site are all tributaries of the River Teviot, which is part of the River Tweed Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI).
“Potentially significant impacts are likely occur during the construction of the holiday village and associated infrastructure through sediment run-off and pollution. A Habitats Regulations Appraisal will also be required.
“The area north east of Muirfild and north of Drove Road (Muirfield Moss) is a non-designated basin mire, which was previously identified as containing biologically outstanding fen vegetation. Fens are included in the Scottish Biodiversity List as a habitat for which conservation action is needed.
“At least some of the mature trees within the site are likely to be used by bats. Due to the scale of the development and the present land cover, it cannot be ruled out that the proposal would have no significant impacts on otters, water voles or sensitive raptors and owls, such as those listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act.
“The submitted screening report states that the expected construction duration is four years. In my opinion, this increases the chances of negative impacts occurring and thus of any negative impacts becoming significant.”
In addition lodge accommodation and apartments, central buildings will incorporate a swimming pool, indoor/outdoor leisure, retail and restaurant facilities, staff facilities, spa, ancillary buildings, and outdoor leisure facilities.
It will also include a car park, main access onto the A7, civil and technical infrastructure, woodland planting and lake creation, hard and soft landscaping, forest management works, along with all other associated infrastructure works and activities at land between Hawick and Selkirk.
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