TOURISM in the Borders has received another shot in the arm after the green light was given for two new holiday lodges.

Scottish Borders Council has granted planning approval for the lodges and associated access road on meadow land west of Bedrule Church, between Jedburgh and Bonchester Bridge.

It’s one in a growing number of planning bids looking to tap into demand from holidaymakers eager to explore the region’s extensive rural landscape.

The applicants, Stuart Fleming-Cain and Paul Ryan, already run the luxury Bedrule Old Manse bed and breakfast accommodation in the scenic Rule Valley.

The new lodges will specifically accommodate people taking walking and cycling holidays.

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In a report recommending approval of the proposal, council planning officer Brett Taylor says: “The site is located within an area of rural countryside. The Local Development Plan states that proposals for tourism development in the countryside will be approved provided that the development is to be used directly for tourism appropriate to a countryside location.

“The applicant has provided a feasibility study that states that marketing will be by the owner and will be via a dedicated website with links to established internet holiday marketing sites.

“It will operate alongside the existing B&B business and states that the aim is provide high quality, all-year-long visitor accommodation for people to undertake walking, cycling, eco-tourism, in an area with very few similar offerings.

“The proposals will be used for holiday accommodation and not mainstream housing.

“This is a small scale development and will be hidden by the topography and nearby trees when viewed from the public road and Bedrule Parish Church. The design of the lodges is considered to be contemporary with a new single storey curved wall with dark grey textured slates.”