New £19m mountain bike centre given green light in 'major milestone'

PLANS for a multi-million pound mountain bike centre in the Scottish Borders have been given the green light.

It had initially been hoped that Caerlee Mill in Innerleithen – which dates back to 1788 and is one of the oldest industrial buildings in Scotland – could be converted into the innovation centre.

However, severe structural issues and rising costs put an end to the proposal.

Fresh plans to replace it with a new building have officially been approved by councillors, the BBC reports.

It is hoped demolition can begin next month, with the centre ready to open to the public by 2027.

(Image: Jim Barton) South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) estimated the project, which is funded by the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, could create more than 400 jobs in the region over 10 years.

The £19 million centre will allow Scottish, UK and international companies to develop mountain biking and cycling products and services.

The project will be led by SOSE with support from Scottish Borders Council and Edinburgh Napier University.

A safety warning was issued ahead of work starting, as people were advised not to enter the Caerlee Mill Site.

A series of additional safety measures were also added over the summer.

Russel Griggs, SOSE chair, commented: "With planning permission and a proposed timetable now available, the local community and mountain bike industry can now start to see how our plans are going to become reality.

"We know it has not been a straightforward process, and we thank local people, the mountain bike sector and partners for their patience and support."

He added that the new centre would bring "high quality jobs" and "maximise the value" of mountain biking in the area.

Councillor Scott Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for economic growth and developing the Borders, said: “This partnership project will deliver significant benefits to the Tweed Valley and wider Scottish Borders, including hundreds of jobs and further inward investment. 

“Approval of the revised plan is a major milestone, allowing work to restart on site, and it will be exciting to see the redevelopment of this brownfield site in the heart of the Innerleithen community into a thriving, vibrant and innovative space for business, technology and learning.”