PEEBLES is set for a major tourism boost after plans to redevelop a holiday park were backed by councillors.

Members of the executive committee met on Monday (August 12) to consider the bid at Rosetta Caravan Park to provide 100 holiday lodges.

They also heard separate plans on the same site to alter the B-listed stables building to create a hub for visitors to check in and out.

Both proposals, submitted by Darwin Escapes, won the unanimous approval of the committee.

Tweeddale West councillor Viv Thomson said: “There’s a call for more accommodation to bring tourism into the area and I think this has a good basis. It’s going to provide accommodation that we can bring people in to do cycling and everything.”

The site – on the north-western edge of Peebles – contains a group of listed buildings, including the category B-listed late Georgian mansion Rosetta House.

The new holiday lodges will be sited on the fields west of the historic house and stables.

Of the 100 units, 70 will be available for rental, with the remainder available for private sales as holiday homes.

Ms Thomson raised concerns over the potential of increased traffic.

“I know the site had permission for 260 caravans but it hasn’t been functioning on that level for quite some time,” she said. “In the mix you’ve also got [new housing development] March Street Mill.”

Derek Inglis, roads planning chief at the council, told the meeting that holiday traffic tended not to “clash with peak traffic” to the same extent as vehicles associated with housing does.

Ms Thomson said: “I do have my concerns but overall I think it would be beneficial for Peebles.”

Fellow Tweeddale West councillor Eric Small said: “I think this will be good for the local area. I think it will be good for the tourism that comes to the Borders. It’s a popular area in general and this accommodation enhances it.

“It will bring trade and business to the local shops, hotels and cafés.

“I think it’s good use to bring it back into operation because it’s standing redundant at the moment.

“We’ve got Glentress on the doorstep, it’s going to offer accommodation for people wanting to come on a biking holiday.”

On the stables, Mr Small added: “It’s good to see that this building is going to be modernised but keep its beauty and architectural value.”

Tweeddale East councillor Marshall Douglas, who chaired the meeting, added: “It has been a beautiful building and in the past it was well used when it was a bar and restaurant. It’s good that it’s going to come back into use and it will be of great value to the tourist offering in that part of Peebles.”