Center Parcs Construction Begins: What It Means for Borders Rentals

Scotland's first Center Parcs village is no longer a planning application — it's a construction site. In March 2026, First Minister John Swinney planted the first trees at the 1,000-acre site between Hawick and Selkirk, marking the official start of work on the £450 million development. The Scottish Government has committed £30 million toward enabling infrastructure, and Center Parcs expects the village to open in summer 2029.

For anyone renting — or thinking about renting — in the Scottish Borders, this is the most significant economic event the region has seen in decades. Here's what it means in practice.

The construction phase: 2026–2029

The build will support 750–800 jobs during construction, the majority of which will be regional. But "regional" in the construction industry often means workers travelling from across Scotland and northern England, staying locally during the working week. That's several hundred people who need accommodation within commuting distance of the site — in an area where the entire private rental stock is only a few hundred properties.

The site sits just off the A7, roughly three miles north of Hawick and south of Selkirk. The most practical bases for construction workers are:

• Hawick — closest town, largest rental stock, most affordable rents. A 1-bed flat starts from around £375 per month. Hawick will absorb the bulk of contractor demand.
• Selkirk — compact and affordable, well positioned on the A7 corridor.
• Galashiels — the largest town in the central Borders with the widest choice of properties, supermarkets, and services. Connected to Edinburgh by the Borders Railway.
• Jedburgh and Kelso — slightly further but still within a 30-minute drive.

If you're a contractor looking for accommodation, we've put together a dedicated guide to renting near the Center Parcs site covering tenancy types, rent expectations, essential services, and FAQs.

What this means for existing renters

More demand chasing a limited supply means upward pressure on rents, particularly in Hawick and Selkirk. This has already begun — landlords in Hawick are reporting increased enquiries, and properties are letting more quickly than a year ago.

That said, the Borders rental market starts from a very low base. Even with some upward movement, rents here remain a fraction of Edinburgh levels. A 2-bed flat in Hawick at £550 per month is still exceptional value by any Scottish measure.

The practical advice for tenants looking to move to the Borders: don't wait. The best properties in Hawick and Selkirk will go to the first applicant, and competition will only increase as the construction workforce ramps up through 2026 and 2027.

The longer view: 1,200 permanent jobs from 2029

The construction phase is temporary. The resort itself is permanent — and potentially more transformative. Center Parcs expects to create around 1,200 permanent, year-round jobs once operational, ranging from hospitality and management roles to grounds maintenance and spa therapists. An independent economic analysis puts the annual contribution at £75 million to the Borders economy, including £8.8 million in direct tourism spend.

Those 1,200 workers will need somewhere to live. Many will be recruited locally, but a significant proportion will relocate — particularly for management and specialist roles. The rental market around Hawick, Selkirk, and Galashiels will see sustained demand well beyond the construction years.

For landlords, this is a generational opportunity. Properties within commuting distance of the Center Parcs site — particularly furnished lets in Hawick — will have strong, continuous demand for the foreseeable future. If you have a property to let, list it free on Rent in the Borders and reach tenants searching specifically in this area.

How the Borders might change

It's worth looking at what happened around other Center Parcs villages. Sherwood Forest, Longleat, and Elveden Forest all became anchor employers in their local areas, with measurable impacts on property values, local business formation, and population growth. Whinfell Forest in Cumbria brought year-round tourism to an area that previously only saw seasonal visitors.

The Scottish Borders site has the added dimension of the £30 million government infrastructure investment, which will benefit local communities beyond the resort itself. And unlike some previous Center Parcs locations, this village is being built from scratch — including planting an entirely new forest — which gives the development a longer timeline but also a deeper integration with the landscape.

The Borders has been losing population for years, particularly among young working-age people who leave for Edinburgh, Glasgow, or further afield. Center Parcs won't reverse that trend overnight, but 1,200 permanent jobs in an area with limited employment options is meaningful. If even a fraction of those workers choose to rent locally rather than commute from Edinburgh, the Borders rental market will look very different by 2030.

Search rental properties in the Scottish Borders — or explore our neighbourhood guides to find the right town for your budget and lifestyle.