A COMPANY providing training to the telecommunication industry in the UK and across the globe is to set up a base in the Borders, it has emerged.

Cable Telecommunications Training Services (CTTS) is to establish a site in the Tweed Horizons Conference Centre at Newtown St Boswells.

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has approved a new training facility for the telecommunications industry, incorporating a pole field and underground cable training area.

The training is based on the laying, drawing and repairing of cable infrastructure and is part classroom and part practical experience.

The existing facilities at Tweed Horizons would be used for class-based education and welfare provision.

The proposed outside facility would be used for the practical training and any cables set up during the day will be removed and returned to the storage container at the end of the day.

Delegate numbers are to be set at 30 per day with one or two staff, as required.

A spokesperson for Tweed Horizons said they were “delighted” that CTTS, which is based at North Hykeham in Lincolnshire, was to take up residence, adding: “We have discussed the opportunity at length with senior personnel from CTTS and view this as positive for the Scottish Border as a whole.

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“From our point of view we have agreed the rental of one unit within the main building, as well as grassland adjacent to our driveway.

“CTTS has also indicated that there will be times when they wish to hire additional meeting room and conferencing facilities from us, generating additional income and increasing awareness of our facilities and the participants attending the training courses.”

In her report approving the application, Julie Hayward, SBC’s lead planning officer, said: “It is accepted that the proposed training facility would be more appropriately located within a settlement or industrial estate.

“However, the site is within an area allocated for business uses and so the proposal would not conflict with the aims of policy and is well related to Tweed Horizons.

“The above ground development consist of telegraph poles of various heights, a container, gravel surfacing and vehicular access. The agent has confirmed that the poles will be traditional timber telegraph poles.

“As part of the training wires will be attached during the days training and then removed at the end of the day.

“The site is enclosed by mature trees on all sides. The council’s heritage and design officer advises that these would provide a significant degree of screening in the summer from most locations in the Conservation Area, including Dryburgh Abbey, the Temple of Muses and River Tweed. Long views into the site may be apparent from the Wallace statue.”