South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) has confirmed that planning permission has been secured to renovate Caerlee Mill in Innerleithen to become a new Mountain Bike Innovation Centre.
Together with the proposed Tweed Valley Bike Park and Trail Lab near Innerleithen, the centre will be funded as part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.
The UK Government is investing £19m into the project, part of its £265m investment in the deal, along with Scottish Government investment of £85m.
The centre is predicted to contribute £141m in Gross Value Added and create more than 400 jobs in the south of Scotland over 10 years.
The overall project is being delivered by SOSE, alongside partners Edinburgh Napier University and Scottish Borders Council.
SOSE completed the purchase of The Caerlee Mill site last year and has been working with partners to secure planning permission for the change of use and building renovation.
Hub South East Scotland have been appointed as delivery partner and Morrison Construction will undertake all building works. Preparation works to ensure the site is safe will take place in the coming weeks, ahead of full works beginning this summer.
The centre will allow companies to develop innovative products and services, or even train and test athletes within the mountain biking and cycling sector.
In addition, the renovation of the listed Caerlee Mill for commercial use will help preserve an important building for the local community and for Scotland’s industrial heritage.
A target is for the south of Scotland is to become mountain biking’s European capital, with Glentress Forest being one of the hosts for UCI Cycling World Championships this summer.
SOSE chair Russel Griggs said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for this hugely exciting project for Innerleithen, the Tweed Valley and the South of Scotland.
“This represents an important milestone and we can now start on-site construction works to deliver a world class innovation centre, bringing jobs, opportunity and growth to Innerleithen and the surrounding area.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said: “It is fantastic that the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre has received planning permission.
“The Innerleithen centre will bring jobs and investment to the region creating a world class Innovation Centre that will attract riders from across the country and beyond.“
The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal was signed on 18 March 2021, bringing in up to £452m of fresh investment to the area.
The five partners across the region are Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Northumberland County Council and Scottish Borders Council.
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