Right to roam restriction approved for first Scottish Center Parcs

A by-law restricting the right to roam on the proposed site of Scotland's first Center Parcs has been granted.

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) agreed to seek confirmation of the move after hearing that provision of a fenced area with one point of access on the land near Hawick was "central to the business model" of the firm.

Concerns were raised by opponents about the precedent it might set and potential implications for other sites across Scotland.

However, SBC confirmed that Scottish ministers had approved the move on Monday with it coming into force in April this year.

The right to responsible access is set out in the The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.

SBC leader Euan Jardine said the decision to approve the move was "warmly welcome".

"We appreciate ministers' acknowledgement of the extensive work undertaken to address the concerns raised by access groups and local residents, and their agreement that these can be appropriately mitigated through the proposals put forward," he said.

"This positive decision provides clarity and confidence for the project to move forward, bringing significant economic and employment opportunities to the Borders, while ensuring our communities and environment are respected."

Ramblers Scotland raised concern about the precedent the move could set as it might encourage others to come forward with proposals which would have a "greater negative impact" on outdoor access.

ScotWays - the Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society - raised an objection with similar concerns and the possibility of erosion of the rights of responsible access nationally.

It argued the move to restrict access was "contrary to the spirit and purpose" of the Land Reform Act and was "excessive in scope".

However, a special full meeting of SBC concluded the Center Parcs development was an "exceptional case" and the by-law should move forward to seek Scottish government approval which has now been granted.

The park will be the seventh Center Parcs village in the UK and Ireland but the first in Scotland and it is hoped it can open by 2029.

It is hoped it can support about 800 jobs during construction and create about 1,200 permanent posts once up and running.