Tweedbank Expansion Neighbourhood Centre 2022

Overview

This public consultation has opened to gather feedback on the preferred uses to be developed within the area designated as a ‘Neighbourhood Centre’ within the Tweedbank Expansion site.

The Neighbourhood Centre is identified within the ‘Tweedbank – Vision for Growth and Sustainability, A Community for the Future’ Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) and Design Guide (DG) which were approved by Scottish Borders Council in June 2021. 

The Neighbourhood Centre is focused around the historic heart of the site, containing Lowood House and its surrounding gardens, associated service buildings, cottages, yards and walled gardens as well as Lowood Nursery.

The SPG and DG note that there are opportunities for infill commercial spaces such as studios, workshops and small retail.  The future development options for Lowood House may include a hotel, education, residential or commercial use.  There is also an opportunity for the Neighbourhood Centre to build on its proximity to the river, proximity to cycling and walking routes (local and long-distance), and its historic character to incorporate recreational and/or cultural uses. This would attract visitors and tourists to this area, as well as cement the community function of the Neighbourhood Centre.

The Tweedbank Expansion site is shown on this map, site code MTWEE002 (extract from the Local Development Plan 2016).

This is a map of the site showing the developable areas.

This is an extract from the Design Guide showing the Neighbourhood Centre in more detail.

Why your views matter

SBC is inviting the public to share their views on their preferred uses within the Neighbourhood Centre of the Tweedbank Expansion site.  The online consultation will be available until Sunday 13 November.  An in-person event will also take place on Monday 27 October between 10 am and 2pm in the Tweedbank Community Centre so that you can discuss your ideas and share your thoughts with SBC Officers.  The Council is eager to ensure that the Neighbourhood Centre is effective as a focal point for the community. As such, it should include uses that provide basic services for the area and uses that enable community interaction. There is also an opportunity for the Neighbourhood Centre to attract visitors and tourists to the area.