BORDERERS are being given the chance to influence plans for a Dutch-inspired ‘care village’ development.

The council has set aside a budget of £22.5 million to deliver the facility in Tweedbank and a similar project in Hawick.

The vision for the village is to allow people to live as part of the community, rather than as a separate institution, and be provided with 24-hour care.

Scottish Borders Council is set to hold two drop-in sessions for the public to have their say on the plans.

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Melrose councillor David Parker, executive member for health and wellbeing, said: “To ensure we continue to provide high quality care for our older residents and keep up with the anticipated increase in demand for health and social care services, we have committed to delivering two new care villages in the Borders over the next four years, including the one to be located in Tweedbank.”

The drop in sessions are planned for Monday, October 24, between 10am-2pm at the Community Centre in Tweedbank, and for the following Thursday at Cafe ReCharge, Island Street, Galashiels.

Mr Parker added: “These drop-in sessions are a chance not only for people to find out more about the proposals, but also to give us your views on how the local community could support and integrate with the care village.

“We want to hear from you as to what you might like to see in the development whether that’s a shop, café or some other facility. There will be some outline architect drawings available that will give you an idea of what it could look like but it’s really your views that we want to hear at this stage.

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“I would therefore encourage everyone with an interest to make sure they come along and have their say.”

The feedback will be used to help develop the full business case due to be presented to both the council and the Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Integration Joint Board in 2023.

The intention for the care village developments is that they will provide an “innovative new model of residential care”, designed specifically to better support the changing needs of older people.

They would also provide preventative action aimed at those with complex needs, frailty and dementia, says the council.

The Tweedbank village would replace the services provided at Waverley and Garden View residential care facilities.

Additional engagement is being held with staff, residents, family carers and other relevant stakeholders on the planned transfer of those services, according to the council.

The report and outline business case for the Hawick development was approved by the council at the end of September.