'Major accident hazard pipeline' identified near entrance to Center Parcs proposed development in Scottish Borders
But HSE says it has no objection to the 700-lodge holiday village
Last updated 29th Jul 2025
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says it has no objection to Center Parcs plans for a 700-lodge holiday village in the Scottish Borders.
That's despite new documents revealing a major underground gas pipeline passes close to the entrance of the site, just off the A7 north of Hawick.
However, it's advising that the pipeline operator, SABIC, should be consulted before the planning application is approved.
In its official reply lodged on Scottish Borders Council's planning portal, HSE, which is a statutory consultee for certain developments, revealed its records have "identified that the proposed development area is crossed by a major accident hazard pipeline – the Wilton/Grangemouth ethylene pipeline".
But its Land Use Planning Advisor Richard Lomax states, "according to this composite map, the areas which are in the inner, middle and outer consultation zones of the pipeline will be occupied by a single carriageway road and landscaping with no facilities to cause people to congregate. These uses are classed as sensitivity level 1 developments in HSE’s LUP methodology."
And, it adds: "HSE does not advise against a sensitivity level 1 development in the inner, middle or outer consultation zone of a major accident hazard pipeline."
Images have also been published showing the access to the site from the trunk road, between Ashkirk and Hawick.
It comes as new weekly drop-in sessions - allowing the public to ask questions about the £400 million development - get underway at Hawick Business Centre (TD9 9BQ).
The drop-in sessions, which include a range of information boards, will be held every Tuesday from 10am to 1am and 1.30pm to 4pm.
Paul Hogarth is Center Parcs’ Community Liaison Officer. He told Greatest Hits Radio: "I'll be here for anybody that wants to come along and talk about any specifics about the planning application.
“As it has done with other holiday village developments, most recently in Longford in Ireland, Center Parcs was keen to ensure that local people could continue to engage and have their questions answered whilst the planning application progresses.
"There are 450 plus documents, drawings etc in the planning application, so we hope it will be beneficial for anyone who may experience difficulty finding the information they need on the council portal."
Meanwhile, it's emerged councillors could meet to discuss the plans as soon as November.
Mr Hogarth said: "It's an exciting time, to have a date of November as a possible conclusion to the planning process; but it's more likely, I would have thought, maybe at best end of the year. I think that's what the planning consultants expect, but it would be great if it was this side of Christmas, so we'll keep our fingers crossed."
If approved, it's hoped work could start next year and the Center Parcs Scottish Borders site would be ready to welcome its first visitors in early 2029.
The development is expected to support between 750 and 800 jobs during the construction phase and, once operational, create around 1,200 permanent jobs; as well as providing a major boost for the region's tourism industry.
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