Councillors discussing new vision for Tweedbank today

The future expansion of Tweedbank will be considered by Scottish Borders Councillors at Newtown today.
A potential new Station Square for Tweedbank is in the masterplan proposals.A potential new Station Square for Tweedbank is in the masterplan proposals.
A potential new Station Square for Tweedbank is in the masterplan proposals.

Tweedbank: A Vision for Growth and Sustainability is the title given to draft supplementary planning guidance (SPG) to form a key component of the so-called Tweedbank masterplan, billed as a transformational prospectus which will encourage people to live, learn, visit and work there.

It includes direction on the development of the residential and business space within the village which could see 350 jobs created and potential unlocked to generate £150m for the Borders economy.

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It also includes space for a potential new care home, and other areas of land are safeguarded, such as higher-quality existing woodland.

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

Mid Berwickshire councillor Mark Rowley, the 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.

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“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 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.”

Meanwhile, work is soon to start at the £30m innovation park after the £5.8m contract for its first phase of development was awarded to Stirling-based Ogilvie Construction last week.

It will include a two-storey building with around 1,500sq m of office space, as well as car parking and landscaping at the site, located alongside the terminus of the Borders Railway.

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A spokesman for the council said: “Ogilvie Construction has been appointed to take forward the development of the Borders Innovation Park in Tweedbank.

“Further information will be provided in the coming weeks on the development.”

The development is being funded in part by £15m from the Edinburgh and south east Scotland city region deal.