New plans for the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre at the Caerlee Mill site in Innerleithen have been shared with the local community, marking a significant step forward in the project’s development.
The updated proposals include the demolition of the existing building on the Caerlee Mill site, with an application for demolition set to be submitted next week. This will clear the way for a new building to be constructed, which will house the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre. A planning application for the new facility is expected to be submitted in 2025, contingent upon the approval of the demolition.
The update was presented to the public at a community meeting held on Thursday, December 5. The project, led by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), is part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, a £350 million investment initiative that includes support from Scottish Borders Council and Edinburgh Napier University. If approved, the demolition of the mill and the construction of the new Centre will begin in the near future.
The revised proposals follow feedback gathered during public consultations held on September 23 and December 5, along with a community survey. The most popular option among locals was the demolition of the mill and the creation of a new facility in its place.
A further opportunity for the community to engage with the project will be a drop-in session on Wednesday, December 11, from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Memorial Hall in Innerleithen. During this session, local residents will have the chance to learn more about the plans, view early designs for the new Centre, and offer additional feedback.
The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal is a £350 million initiative supported by both the UK and Scottish Governments, with £150 million allocated for Scotland and up to £200 million for England. Local partners will contribute over £100 million in funding. The Mountain Bike Innovation Centre itself will receive a £19 million investment from the UK Government, part of which will also fund the Tweed Valley Bike Park and Trail Lab, pending the completion and approval of the Full Business Case.
The Centre is expected to become a key hub for the cycling sector, fostering innovation in products and services, and providing a space for the training and testing of athletes in the mountain biking and broader cycling industries. It is anticipated to contribute £138 million to the local economy and create over 400 jobs in the region over the next decade.
Russel Griggs OBE, chair of SOSE, expressed appreciation for the community’s involvement in the project, saying: “Since our first meeting in September, SOSE has been working closely with the community and partners to explore all options for the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre and the Caerlee Mill site. The community has been clear that they want the Centre to remain in Innerleithen and for a positive solution to be found for the Caerlee Mill site. Our revised proposals respond to these priorities, and we are now moving forward with plans to create a facility that will bring high-value jobs to the area and integrate key industries like textiles to shape the future of mountain biking.”
Councillor Euan Jardine, leader of Scottish Borders Council, also welcomed the new plans, noting, “I’m delighted that with the community’s support, we are now able to move forward with the project. The development of this facility will bring substantial investment and job opportunities to the Tweed Valley. While it is disappointing that the original plans for the Centre cannot be delivered as initially proposed, the most important thing is that we are still on track to develop an internationally significant facility within budget and regenerate the Caerlee Mill site.”
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