A brand-new Center Parcs holiday village in Scotland could be up and running in a few years' time. Plans for the £400 million project were unveiled by the holiday company last month, with ambitious features including a subtropical swimming pool, man-made loch and woodland spa. The sprawling site, which would be Center Parcs's first expansion into Scotland, could open to holidaymakers in early 2029, its chief executive said.

Colin McKinlay, whose company already draws millions of visitors each year to its six existing resorts in the UK and Ireland, said a planning application would be submitted for the development this summer, with building work set to begin in 2027, if all goes to plan. He also told the BBC that the Scottish Borders was "an obvious choice" for the nature-based resort's next branch. "It fits so many of our criteria in terms of the area [and] in terms of the demographic profile of the people around the area," Mr McKinlay said.

He added that he believed the site would boost employment and spending in local communities rather than monopolise the holidaymaker trade.

"We've found in our other village areas that lots of young people who've typically left an area in search of career opportunities have actually stayed in the area.

"[And] once we open, we look to procure as many goods and services as we can locally - that has an impact on local business."

"If we're successful, I would envisage us moving forward to a programme that would start building probably early in 2027 and hopefully opening as early as spring 2027," the executive said.

The project - which will also include 700 lodges, wildflower meadows and wetlands - is currently undergoing a public consulation with local residents including those living in the nearby village of Hawick, Roxburghshire.

If planning permission is granted, Center Parcs says the village will create up to 800 jobs during the construction process and 1,200 permanent non-seasonal roles.

Other features will be a dedicated Nature and Heritage Centre with a restaurant and coffee shop and a range of outdoor activities including adventure golf, a zip wire and tree trekking.