Paultons Park at Ower submits Environmental Impact Assessment to New Forest National Park Authority as it reveals plans for holiday resort

A THEME park has unveiled plans to create a Scandinavian-themed self catering holiday village to accommodate around 700 guests.

Family-run Paultons Park, near Ower, says the “seamless extension” of the park would include between 85 and 95 units, a mixture of two, three and four bedrooms, alongside a restaurant, shop, and new welcome building specifically for resort guests.

A second park entrance would be created, in addition to an entertainment room overlooking the holiday village, which would provide a flexible space for “light events and entertainment”, a games room, staff offices and toilets, and “back of house” storage for restaurant stock and a charging area for buggies.

The proposed development would be located on land bordering the existing Cobra and Edge rides, with plans to “reuse and reorientate” part of the existing car park facilities, dedicating them for use by resort guests and providing vehicular access close to the new welcome building and reception.

The company has submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening request – a precursor to a request for planning permission – to the New Forest National Park Authority. The purpose of an EIA screening request is to assess if plans will have significant effects on the environment, and this information aids the local planning authority in making a final decision.

The report explains that while Paultons Park currently partners with over 30 local hotels to provide visitor packages, it remains the only UK theme park attracting more than 300,000 visitors annually without any onsite accommodation.

“The proposed development is considered to be key to retaining visitors in a competitive market which includes three major parks, all within around a 60-minute drive from Paultons Park — Legoland Windsor, Chessington World of Adventures, and Thorpe Park— all providing onsite accommodation, and with further expansion plans.

“To ensure long-term sustainability and retain Paultons Park’s position as the UK’s best-rated family theme park and one of the top 10 globally, diversification through onsite accommodation is essential.”

The “mid to high quality” Scandinavian-style accommodation would provide a range of price points, it adds, “with a preference for a rustic/traditional style rather than a contemporary modern look”. Accessible units will also be provided.

It adds: “There is a preference for the ‘street’ and plaza to be a pedestrian only space, where there are no / minimal service vehicles present. Guests will leave cars in the car park to create a pedestrian friendly resort.”

Deputy managing director of Paultons Park, James Mancey, said: “We are in the very early stages of developing a vision for accommodation at Paultons Park. However, with lengthy processes to work through, including securing planning permission, this concept could potentially take several years to come to fruition.

“We are committed to continually reinvesting into our attraction, providing a world-class experience for our guests, and planning for the long-term. In the immediacy, we already have extensive and very exciting expansion projects underway, and the current works on site remain our priority.”

As reported in the A&T, last year Paultons was named the best park for families at the UK Theme Park Awards, while its Peppa Pig World was named best for toddlers. It also won a gold award for the best new food outlet for the Grande Central cafe and restaurant, and a gold award for the best customer service at a large park.

Paultons won a bronze award in the best new entertainment category for Blast Off – A Space Rocket Adventure, and bronze in the best sustainability initiative for the ‘Paultons Promise’ to care for the environment and the local community.

The awards were allocated based on the feedback of more than 360,000 public votes combined with judges’ scores.