CENTER Parcs is planning on opening a holiday village just a two-hour drive away from Darlington.

The planned site is set to be east of the A7 between Selkirk and Hawick on land owned by the Buccleuch Group, which has signed an agreement with the holiday company.

The site covers 1,000 acres of land containing grassland and woodland, the development is expected to extend the site to 400 acres.

The village is expected to have approximately 700 lodges with indoor and outdoor activities, shops, bars, restaurants, a spa and an indoor water park.

The new site would be the seventh Center Parcs village in the UK and the first in Scotland.

Center Parcs is set to outline its proposals today (November 5) in Hawick to community leaders and business and political representatives.

The company says the site would bring “significant economic benefit and local job opportunities” to the area.

Colin McKinlay, chief executive officer of Center Parcs, said: “This is a tremendously exciting project and offers the opportunity to transform leisure and tourism in the Scottish Borders.

“Throughout our history, we have demonstrated that a Center Parcs village provides significant economic benefits locally, regionally and nationally.

“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.”

The bid is in the early stages and Center Parcs is hoping to submit a planning application next year.

The estimated investment to build the village will be between £350 million and £400 million. Once open the village is expected to create 1,200 permanent jobs.

The construction phase will create between 750-800 regional jobs using local contractors where possible, according to the firm.

Mr McKinlay added: “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.”

A website with an outline of the plan will soon go live with updates on the project.

Benny Higgins, executive chairman of the Buccleuch Group, 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.”