Center Parcs has announced a plan to create its first holiday village in Scotland.
The proposed site is on land to the east of the A7 between Hawick and Selkirk — which is owned by the Buccleuch Group.
Once operational, the village would represent investment of up to £400 million and create up to 1,200 permanent, non-seasonal jobs.
Proposals for the resort are at an early stage and Center Parcs intends to submit a planning application in 2025.
Plans for around 700 lodges will be submitted.
Center Parcs is owned by Canadian investment firm Brookfield.
Center Parcs CEO Colin McKinlay said: “This is a tremendously exciting project and offers the opportunity to transform leisure and tourism in the Scottish Borders.
“Center Parcs is an exceptionally popular destination for families in the UK and Ireland and there is robust demand to support a seventh village.
“Throughout our history, we have demonstrated that a Center Parcs village provides significant economic benefits locally, regionally and nationally.”
Center Parcs said it plans to undertake an extensive programme of afforestation, cultivating a new woodland at the site, which is currently mainly open grassland with some woodland areas.
McKinlay said: “Sustainability is core to our values. In our three decades of operating in the UK and Ireland, we have transformed areas of commercial woodland into a rich tapestry of flora and fauna, considerably enhancing the biodiversity of each village.
“This site gives us the opportunity to take a bold, new approach and create a woodland ourselves, delivering significant biodiversity net gain and planting thousands of new trees.
“We are at an early stage with these proposals and have a lengthy and thorough planning process ahead.
“We have already conducted a significant number of surveys to assess the site and we intend to continue with additional site surveys and design development, alongside a programme of pre-planning application consultation and community engagement.”
Buccleuch Group executive chairman Benny Higgins said: “This project promises to have an outstandingly positive impact on tourism and leisure in the Scottish Borders and we are delighted to have signed an option agreement that will enable Center Parcs to take the next steps towards fulfilling its ambitions.”
Scottish Borders Council leader Euan Jardine said: “To have a company with such a nationwide and worldwide name as Center Parcs invest in the Borders – the first in Scotland as well – I think it is fantastic news and great for the area.
“We are a great destination so Center Parcs are really invested here – they have seen the natural capital that we have and they wanted a piece of that.”
David Hope-Jones, chief executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance, said: “The scale of the investment and potential is immense; it represents a huge endorsement of our region’s fast-growing reputation as a year-round destination.
“With many thousands of visitors each year expected to stay at the proposed Center Parcs village, this is a huge opportunity to see many of them exploring the local area before, during and after their visits, increasing spend in the local tourism economy.”
South of Scotland Enterprise chair Russel Griggs said the plans would be the biggest investment in the Scottish Borders since the Borders Railway.
“I am delighted Center Parcs have chosen our area to make this commitment and recognised what the south of Scotland has to offer,” he said.
Center Parcs said that during the construction phase of the project, 750-800 jobs would be created, and local contractors will be used where possible.
The Buccleuch Group has signed an option agreement with Center Parcs for the land.
The agreement covers about 1,000 acres, comprising open grassland and some woodland. It is expected that development on the site will extend to 400 acres.