A BOOMING Borders-based timber frame company continues to build on its success as new expansion plans are put on the agenda.

Oregon Timber Frame Engineering, located in Dunsdale Road, Selkirk, facilitates the supply of timber kits for the housing industry.

The company is aiming to create almost 60 new jobs if a planning bid for expansion to the north and south of the factory gets the green light from Scottish Borders Council (SBC).

That application is currently under consideration.

Now the company has submitted a separate planning application to the local authority for the formation of a new public car park, lighting and pedestrian crossing, use of former public car park for new cycle storage, reconfiguration of the entrance to the factory, erection of replacement gates and fencing, and associated drainage infrastructure.

A submission with the latest planning bid says: “This proposal will improve access and egress to the north factory for vehicles, but effectively removes public access to the existing public car park.

“Oregon is therefore proposing to provide alternative public parking provision on Level Crossing Road. This would require a new rectangular area of made ground with capacity for six new parking spaces together with turning, allowing any car to enter the public road network in forward gear.

“The new parking spaces would be illuminated by a single lighting column placed on the west boundary of the site, in the middle of the new parking spaces.

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“A 2m-wide new path is proposed to connect to the existing path which leads onto the access road. This would enable those members of the public who use the parking spaces for countryside access to continue to do so without added inconvenience. A new uncontrolled pedestrian crossing will also be installed on Level Crossing Road to enable pedestrians to access the car park safely.”

The expansion bid comes as the company enters “another key phase of growth” following its acquisition by Barratt Developments PLC in 2019, one of the major house-builders in the UK.

In February 2022, Oregon received planning permission from SBC for the change of use of the former ‘Leading Labels’ retail unit in Selkirk to office use.

The company has its headquarters in Selkirk but also recently completed the build of a new £40m, 186,000sq. ft factory to significantly upgrade its original Burton-Upon-Trent depot.

Oregon moved to Selkirk in 2005 and is now one of the Scottish Borders leading employers.

And if the factory expansion plans are rubber-stamped the workforce will rise from the current 203 to 260.

Addressing that application, a company spokesperson said: “This development will enable Oregon to meet Barratt Development’s growing timber frame requirements and with that significant investment to the manufacturing facility, which will ultimately secure its long-term future as a significant employer within Selkirk.

“Oregon’s facility in Selkirk (both factory and office) currently has 203 local employees and it is proposed this will increase to 260 with the new developments. The development of the new office block and factory extensions will represent a significant commitment to and investment in Selkirk and the wider Scottish Borders, with total investment amounting to circa. £20m, plus the provision of new equipment.”