Lockerbie Data Centres Ltd has organised a second exhibition on plans that will see Europe's largest data centre being created on the edge of Lockerbie.

The exhibition follows an extensive consultation exercise, which started with a public exhibition in December and has continued since with presentations to local community groups.

The development proposes to position Lockerbie as a leading international centre in I.T. applications, communications and data storage.

The Concept Masterplan has been revised to show in greater detail the general building forms and internal road hierarchy, with street scenes and building frontages set out to reflect a Borders Village form.

A range of public and private open spaces have been incorporated into the Concept Masterplan, including: a widened high street within the village centre, which could accommodate public events; formal and informal play areas; sports pitches; and, amenity open spaces.

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The proposed integrated footpath and cycleway network, which will extend throughout the new development, has also been illustrated in greater detail.

In addition, the proposed access strategy has been designed to allow for improvements to the B723, which, subject to agreement with Dumfries & Galloway Council, will be seen to improve the safety of the existing road corridor whilst also accommodating the increased traffic flow from the village.

The £800m Peelhouses Data Centre and Sustainable Village development has been proposed by Lockerbie Data Centres Ltd, a subsidiary of Scottish company Robison and Davidson (Holdings) Limited, a long established local firm with its head office in Dumfries.

In addition to the proposed two hundred and fifty thousand square metre Internet Data Centre, the development will include a new business park providing around twenty thousand square metres of hi-tech office space to attract internet companies to the area creating a thousand new jobs, and up to 750 new homes of mixed tenure being incorporated into a traditional south of Scotland village format which will provide a sustainable living environment.

John Hume, Chairman and Chief Executive of Lockerbie Data Centres Ltd said: "Meeting with a number of different groups has given us the opportunity to listen to concerns which we have now integrated into our plans.

"The overall message we have received is that people are pleased to see this development which will put Lockerbie firmly on the map as an international hub for the internet age."

It is expected that the planning application will be lodged with Dumfries and Galloway Council in early April.

(GK/JM)