Tweedbank – A Vision for Growth and Sustainability – is the draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) which will be discussed at this Thursday’s full Scottish Borders Council meeting.

The guidance is a key component of the Tweedbank Masterplan, a transformational prospectus which will encourage people to live, learn, visit and work in the local community.

The draft SPG provides direction on the development of new residential and business space within Tweedbank, with 350 jobs estimated to be created and the potential to generate £150 million of Gross Value Added (GVA) to the Borders economy.

The draft SPG also includes the potential for a new care home, while other areas of land are safeguarded such as higher quality existing woodland.

Should the draft SPG be approved this week, a 12-week public consultation will be launched - including a public exhibition event - before the final SPG is presented again to elected members for approval later this year.

The Tweedbank site will make a significant contribution to the housing land needs which have to be made in order to meet Scottish Government requirements.

The SPG also supports the council’s commitment to the Edinburgh and South East City Deal, and the Borders Railway Blueprint programme.

Councillor Mark Rowley, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for business and economic development, said: “Tweedbank has evolved since its first properties were built in the 1970s and the SPG aims to help continue the development of the community.

“We have already held a well-attended public exhibition in Tweedbank in August 2019, which generated a lot of positive feedback and a few points which have been incorporated into the SPG alongside comments from a number of partners.

“Should the draft SPG be approved, there will be another opportunity for the public to provide their views as part of the 12-week consultation and public exhibition.

“Alongside the exciting developments which the council is currently driving at the Borders Innovation Park, I am confident that this high-quality guidance will help us to deliver a transformational range of homes, commercial premises and recreational opportunities which will deliver significant benefits for the whole of the Scottish Borders.”