The Glentress plans seek to cope with rising visitor numbers

If agreed, the development would be completed in summer 2008 and would act as a gateway for visitors to the rest of the Tweed Valley Forest Park.

Glentress Forest attracts about 300,000 visitors to the area every year.

Forestry Commission Scotland has submitted the plans to modernise facilities in order to cope with increased visitor demand.

The new development is to be known as Glentress Peel.

Proposed new facilities Wildlife watching area Tweed Valley information services Entrance/cafe area Bike shop/bike hire

The word "peel" is often used in the area to describe a fortified tower or house and its boundaries.

A total of four main buildings are part of the plan - all linked by specially designed trails.

All the buildings are to be built on sustainable principles and will be a showcase for the use of timber.

Forestry Commission Scotland's district manager for the Scottish Borders, Christina Tracey, said she hoped the plans had the "right mix to keep visitors happy".

Top attraction

"Glentress has always had a reputation for being a friendly and relaxed place to go where mountain bikers, walkers and visitors all get along and enjoy the forest," she said.

"Our new development will help keep this atmosphere and improve Glentress and the Tweed Valley as a top visitor attraction."

The new developments are to be located on a hill opposite to where the current facilities are found.