Right to roam restriction approved for first Scottish Center Parcs

Right to roam restriction approved for first Scottish Center Parcs 58 minutes ago Share Save Giancarlo Rinaldi South Scotland reporter Share Save A by-law restricting the right to roam on the proposed site of Scotland's first Center Parcs has been granted. Scottish Borders Council 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 Act 2003. However, SBC has argued that its terms are not sufficient to meet the needs of Center Parcs which recently secured planning permission for its proposals. Late last year the council agreed to take forward the by-law as the "only effective way forward" , having ruled out other options. 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." More stories from South Scotland Listen to news for the Scottish Borders on BBC Sounds 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 objecti...