The Duke of Roxburghe has won planning approval for the first step in a plan to develop a Borders hotel and golf course into a world-class resort destination.
The first phase of the GBP20m development, which has just received planning approval by Scottish Borders Council, will establish the Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course as the area's first five-star destination. It allows for the development of 60 holiday lodges, state of the art clubhouse and conversion of the existing clubhouse to a dormy house of 10 bedrooms.
Plans are also in-hand for a planning application for a 28 bedroom extension to the existing hotel, new spa and fitness area. It is anticipated that when complete, the 60 lodges, new clubhouse, extension to the hotel and spa will bring around GBP5m from extra visitor spending annually to the area and create 70 jobs.
Earlier this year, the Duke appointed Castle Hotel Management Company (CHMC) as the executive managers for the future operation and preferred partner in the proposed joint venture development.
CHMC is the company set up by Donald Emslie, former chief executive of Scottish Media Group, and Peter Murphy, former managing director of Macdonald Hotels' Scottish operations.
