Presented at a public consultation in Denholm Village Hall yesterday, the hand-drawn masterplan—crafted by the project’s architects—offers further insight into the potential layout of accommodation, retail, leisure facilities, heritage centre, and other key elements of the village.

The masterplan sets out a clear vision and strategy for the development, demonstrating how it can be practically delivered while illustrating the proposed design.

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.”

Key features of the masterplan:

• Subtropical Swimming Paradise and Village Centre, centrally positioned in relation to the proposed 700 lodges and apartments.
• Aqua Sana Forest Spa, offering a tranquil retreat within a woodland setting.
• A newly created loch, designed for sports and recreational activities.
• A combined nature and heritage centre with an adjacent restaurant and coffee shop.
• Wildflower meadows, nature walks, and wetlands, enhancing biodiversity and outdoor experiences.
• A range of outdoor activities, thoughtfully integrated into the natural landscape. 

The event also showcased detailed designs for the lodges, giving attendees a first look at the high-quality accommodation envisioned for the site.

Following today’s consultation, the masterplan will continue to evolve based on public feedback before a final version is submitted as part of the planning application this summer. Additional consultation events are scheduled for Selkirk in April and Hawick in May, providing further opportunities for community engagement.

If planning permission is granted, the development is expected to generate 750 to 800 jobs during construction. Once operational, the village will create approximately 1,200 permanent, non-seasonal roles, offering diverse career opportunities for local residents, including management positions. The total investment in the project is estimated at £350 million to £400m.