Monday July 1st 2024
A Borders village has received a huge tourism and conservation boost after the green light was given to a community masterplan.
Newcastleton Community Trust (NDCT) acquired 750 acres of land at Holm Hill Path from Buccleuch Estates in 2020.
This followed extensive community consultation and initial feasibility work to establish uses for the site and to agree with the community how they wished to see the land developed.
The buy-out was made possible as the result of a £850,000 windfall from the Scottish Land Fund.
Now Scottish Borders Council has approved planning approval to reinstate and create new multi-use paths on land at Holm Hill and for the creation of a community garden beside Newcastleton Golf Club.
This plan is an integral part of NDCT’s mission to “protect, promote and enhance the village of Newcastleton and surrounding area; providing new and enhanced facilities that the community want which will also help to attract increased visitors to support our local economy”.
A report submitted with the application said:
“This project is the next step to delivering the community Active Leisure Masterplan; this describes a vision for Newcastleton in which active leisure is central to the culture of our community, where visitors who participate in road, gravel, or mountain biking, walking, trail running, or other outdoor pursuits are made to feel welcome and at home.
“Additional to the path/trail network plans are being developed to upgrade the existing Newcastleton Golf Clubhouse into a new Activity Hub; a place where other outdoor leisure activities can take place.
“This will also encompass hospitality facilities as now but provide wider opportunity to host large outdoor events enhancing Newcastleton’s positioning as an active outdoor destination.
“The site sits prominently above the village within easy walking distance of the centre commanding views across the valley.
“A new community garden area is being incorporated into the land surrounding the hub making this a showcase and maximising the site’s panoramic views.”
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