center parcs submits planning application for holiday...
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Oct 30, 2015 09:52 GMT
Center Parcs submits planning applicationfor holiday Village in Ireland
Less than two years after the hugely successful opening of its fifth Village,Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire, Center Parcs has today (Friday 30 October2015) submitted a formal planning application for a new Village in Ireland.
The company plans to develop a 395 acre site in Newcastle Wood, CountyLongford, into what will be their sixth Village and first venture outside of theUK.
The €233m development, named ‘Center Parcs Longford Forest’, will be
ideally positioned in the heart of Ireland, with excellent transport links forfamilies from both north and south of the border.
The planning application outlines the transformative impact that the projectcould have on both County Longford and the national economy, includingadding €1 billion to Ireland’s GDP over a 20 year period and creatingapproximately 750 jobs during construction and a further 1,000 permanentroles once operational.
Center Parcs Longford Forest will incorporate the high quality features forwhich Center Parcs is renowned including 470 Lodges and 30 apartmentsnestled into the natural surroundings, more than 100 indoor and outdoorfamily activities, an Aqua Sana Spa, a range of restaurants, shops and cafésand the iconic Subtropical Swimming Paradise, with water rides and fun forall ages.
Center Parcs CEO Martin Dalby said: “We have many years’ experience ofproviding high quality family short breaks in the UK and I’m extremely excited bythe prospect of bringing our fantastic brand to Ireland.
“The submission of our planning application today is a key milestone for us, as webegin the next chapter in our 28 year story.”
Longford County Council will now undertake a five week period ofconsultation, during which time the plans will be on public display.
Subject to receiving satisfactory planning permission, Center Parcs LongfordForest could open to guests in 2019.
Notes to Editors
1. Center Parcs is the UK’s leading provider of high quality family shortbreaks, offering midweek or weekend breaks in a secluded and naturalwoodland setting.
2. The company operates five Villages across the UK: Whinfell Forest,Cumbria; Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire; Elveden Forest, Suffolk; Woburn
Forest, Bedfordshire and Longleat Forest, Wiltshire.
3. Center Parcs regularly achieves average annual occupancy rates in excessof 97%.
4. Center Parcs announced its intention to develop a forest holiday Village inIreland in April 2015 and has submitted a formal planning application toLongford County Council to develop a 395 acre site in Newcastle Wood.
5. The development will create around 750 jobs during construction and afurther 1,000 permanent jobs once operational. The majority of employeesare likely to live locally.
6. The Village will have capacity for up to 2,500 guests.
7. Center Parcs estimates that, when operational, the Village will addapproximately €32 million to Irish GDP each year.
8. Over the past 28 years, Center Parcs has demonstrated a proven trackrecord of taking commercial woodlands and, through careful forestmanagement, transforming them into areas rich in biodiversity.
9. The vast majority of the woodland on all Center Parcs sites remainsuntouched, with only 10% of the total area being built on. Retaining andencouraging a vibrant and thriving forest environment is central to CenterParcs’ environmental ethos and is a core part of the offering at ever CenterParcs Village.
Contacts
Simon KayPress ContactHead of [email protected] 821600
Emily BeaumontPress ContactPR [email protected] 821600