Plans to turn Pleasure Island into £57m Center Parcs-on-Sea alternative

The developers behind plans for the £57m transformation of Pleasure Island at Cleethorpes says it is a “golden opportunity” to improve the resort’s fortunes.
A 146-bed hotel is part of the £57m plansA 146-bed hotel is part of the £57m plans
A 146-bed hotel is part of the £57m plans

YPG Fab 2 – owned by Adrian Smith and Ming Yeung - says plans for 250 holiday lodges, hotel and on-site supermarket - will attract thousands of visitors from across the UK and create hundreds of jobs.

Plans for stylish, open-plan designs, loft suites and private terraces, which have been likened to a “Center Parcs-on-sea”, could be submitted as early as next month.

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For generations of Yorkshire holidaymakers, Pleasure Island, was their summer playground. But since closing in 2016 after 23 years, it has fallen derelict, prey to vandals and buildings neglected.

Pleasure Island closed in 2016. Picture: Simon HulmePleasure Island closed in 2016. Picture: Simon Hulme
Pleasure Island closed in 2016. Picture: Simon Hulme

Mr Smith said their vision was for a “spectacular development with all-weather facilities which will offer year-round appeal”, adding: “We estimate it will attract £13.2m of new visitor expenditure per annum. As people who have spent all our lives in Grimsby we are dedicated to improving the area.

“We have a strong track record of regenerating key local sites and we have already committed millions of pounds to this project even before submitting the planning application.”

A survey on behalf of the developers found an overwhelming majority - 95 per cent - agreed there was a need for regeneration, with more than 70 per cent supporting the mix of holiday resort, leisure and retail uses and just over 69 per cent in favour of the proposals generally.

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The site will have direct links to the beach with the aim of using the lake and the sea for water sports. A Lidl food store of around 1,900 sq m and a petrol station will serve the development and the local community, as will the restaurant and leisure facilities. The hotel, complete with conference facilities, will add to the area’s business offer.

In future the lake is set to be used for water sportsIn future the lake is set to be used for water sports
In future the lake is set to be used for water sports

Ming Yeung masterminded the redevelopment of the former Birds Eye Wall’s site in Ladysmith Road to provide 250 new homes and has delivered multimillion pound regeneration projects in Liverpool including the Hilton Garden Hotel, Russell Hotel and Magistrates Boutique Hotel as well as a series of stylish dockside residential developments.

The investors are partners in a specialist leisure sector business Seaside Getaways Limited, based in Liverpool, and say their latest project is their most ambitious to date.

Mr Smith said it was a golden opportunity to change what was a poor advert for Grimsby and Cleethorpes.

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He said: "The landscaping aspects of the new development will improve access to the award-winning beach and sand dunes and the whole project will bring wider environmental benefits for visitors and the local community.

An artist's impression of the developmentAn artist's impression of the development
An artist's impression of the development

"The facilities which will feature in the project will provide the sort of rain-or-shine attractions which people currently have to go elsewhere to enjoy.

“By incorporating a Lidl store, patrol station and restaurants we will ensure that the site can appeal to visitors year-round, which means that as many as possible of the new jobs will be permanent rather than seasonal. “

"We’re looking forward to submitting a detailed planning application in September at the latest, showing people more of what this project can do to transform our area and making a start on remodelling the lake during the autumn.

"Because of our background we have the architects, quantity surveyors, site managers and more who will ensure this project is delivered on time and on budget.”

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