Event seeks feedback on Glentress mountain bike trails

A two-day public consultation event aims to gather views on the proposed £11.3 million cabins and trails development at Glentress Forest.

The local community, mountain bikers, walkers, horse riders and anyone else with an interest in the plans are invited to attend.

The two day drop-in event is to be held at the Glentress Peel Café on:

• Friday 1st September 11am to 4pm
• Saturday 2nd September 10am to 4pm.

Forest Enterprise Scotland and Forest Holidays staff will be there to answer questions and explain the proposals. Feedback forms will be available at the event.

Sallie Bailey, Forest District Manager with Forest Enterprise Scotland said:

"This is an exciting time for Glentress and the Tweed Valley as a whole. The new development could produce a step-change in what we can offer at the forest with a potential to bring in an extra £1 million to the local economy and 60 jobs.

"We'd really like to hear people's views on the new cabins and trails and the consultation event will give us a face to face opportunity to explain in better detail what is planned.

"Anyone who wishes to come and find out more about the plans is very welcome and they can submit their feedback forms at later date if they wish. We hope to see you there."

Exhibition panels will help explain the proposals at Glentress which include the building of 56 modern eco-cabins and 16 km of new biking trails, including a new skills area. Staff would also like feedback on the building work proposed, car parking available and how the parking fees are collected.

Richard Palmer, Planning Director with Forest Holidays added:

"We know that Glentress is highly valued by many people, whether for biking, walking or enjoying the stunning scenery. We are very much looking forward to meeting those who have an interest in these proposals. The exhibition will provide a good opportunity for us to answer people's questions and show them the unique nature of our cabin locations, as well as who we are and how we work with the communities around us.

"We already have two stunning locations in Scotland at Strathyre and Ardgartan Argyll, where we enjoy close working relationships with many organisations and businesses in the local area. Our aim is to bring long-term investment to the rural economy and we are confident that there is significant potential to support the wider objectives at Glentress and in the Tweed Valley through this exciting scheme."

The consultation event is part of the pre-application planning process which is now with Scottish Borders Council. Feedback from the consultation event will help shape the final plans before submitting a formal planning application to the Council later in the year.

Forest Holidays and Forest Enterprise Scotland are seeking views by the 22nd September.

Feedback forms should be emailed to [email protected] or Tim Ferguson, Ferguson Planning, Shiel House, 54 Island Street, Galashiels, TD1 1NU.