Monday June 30th 2025
Scottish Borders Council Headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A decision over plans for a new £12m luxury holiday park on the site of a former Borders golf course has been placed on hold.
Members of Scottish Borders Council’s Planning & Building Standards Committee were today (Monday, June 30) recommended to rubber-stamp revised proposals for the holiday lodge development at Rutherford Park, between Carlops and West Linton.
The latest planning application reduces the scale of development to 79 lodges, from over 250 originally proposed, with the lodges only occupying 10 hectares of the 80-hectare site.
The application received 279 objections over potential flood risk, loss of greenfield land, landscape and visual impact and increased tourist traffic.
Both Carlops and West Linton community councils were among the objectors.
Councillor Viv Thomson, SNP for Tweeddale West, called for a site visit after expressing concern at the impact on the 19 householders living directly beside the proposed holiday park and on residents in West Linton and Carlops.
That site visit is now to go-ahead before a final decision is made.
Sally Bowie, speaking on behalf of the objectors, told elected members: “Nineteen homes directly border this site. The proposed development places a year-long holiday complex with leisure facilities, parking and a bar restaurant operating from seven in the morning until eleven o’clock at night just metres from family homes.
“This raises serious concerns about noise, light pollution, security and loss of privacy.”
The application has been endorsed by several organisation, including Borders College, Houstons Coaches, Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce, Scottish Tourism Alliance, South of Scotland Destination Alliance and UK Hospitality Scotland
Rutherford Park is situated on the former Rutherford Castle Estate, and development is being progressed by landowner Sandy Lane Resort Rutherford Ltd.
A golf course there closed in 2015 due to falling membership and plans to transform the area emerged soon afterwards.
The latest development will amount to an investment of around £11.6 million in the region and is set to create 27 jobs, with a reception building including a small shop and office.
It also incorporates demolition of two redundant outbuildings and reuse of a golf clubhouse to include limited catering and gym facilities.
This new modern-style venue reflects a growing short break ‘staycation’ market in an area that is recognised as currently being poorly served by high-quality outdoor accommodation.
Tweet Share on Facebook
