Glentress proposals go to planning

Forestry Commission Scotland's proposals for a new visitor development at Glentress Forest have taken another step forward with a planning application now being submitted for approval. If all goes to plan, the new development is due to be completed during the summer of 2008, and will act as a gateway for visitors to the rest of the popular Tweed Valley Forest Park. Glentress forest is the biggest tourist attraction in the Borders with 300,000 visitors a year and increasing. To cope with the demand and to provide modern facilities, the Commission is planning a total revamp of the current site at Glentress. The new development is to be known as Glentress Peel after historical connections in the Borders area. In the south of Scotland the word Peel is often used to describe a fortified tower or house and its boundaries. In the new development's case, the tower being the recently purchased house on the hill and the rest of the proposed visitor buildings being reflections (or echoes) of the service buildings historically found within the boundary. The development will be in a stunning landscaped location on the edge of the forest with four main buildings all linked with a series of imaginatively designed trails, and all served by new car parking areas. All the buildings are to be built on sustainable principles and will be a showcase for the use of timber. The frame of the building takes its form from the surrounding trees, demonstrating the strength and beauty of timber. A selection of drawings and models of some of the new proposed developments will be available in the osprey viewing centre at Glentress Forest and more details are available online www.forestry.gov.uk/glentress. Forestry Commission Scotland's district manager for the Scottish Borders Christina Tracey said: "We've had lots of useful feedback on what everyone would like to see happen at Glentress and we think our proposals contain the right mix to keep visitors happy. "Glentress has always had a reputation for being a friendly and relaxed place to go where mountain bikers, walkers and visitors all get along and enjoy the forest. Our new development will help keep this atmosphere and improve Glentress and the Tweed Valley as a top visitor attraction." These new developments are to be located up on the hill opposite to where the current facilities are found. This area of land consists of 12 acres and was purchased nearly a year ago along with a large house which is to be transformed as part of the new development. The new buildings being proposed to make up Glentress Peel are:

• a new building at the entrance which will act as a relaxed meeting point for everyone. The cafe will be found here.
• a building right next to the cafe to house the bike shop and bike hire services;
• showers, toilets, changing areas and information services to the Tweed Valley area will be located half way up the hill; and
• at the top of the hill, the house (or tower) will be totally transformed to provide a showcase centre for wildlife watching and to interpret issues such as climate change, sustainability and safe mountain biking.

For full planning details and to comment on the plans, contact Planning and Economic Development Department, Scottish Borders Council, Rosetta Road, Peebles, EH45 8HG www.forestry.gov.uk

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