Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Center Parcs' 'subtropical swimming paradise'
park it

Here's a glimpse at what a massive new holiday resort in Longford will look like

Center Parcs wants to build its first site outside England in the midlands county.

FAMILY RESORT OPERATOR Center Parcs has revealed a glimpse inside the €200 million holiday park it has planned for Longford.

The UK company plans to build its first “holiday village” outside England on a 375-acre tranche of land at Newcastle Wood in the midlands county.

The resort developer wants permission to build 500 lodges – including several treehouses – a spa, nature centre, shops, restaurants and a “subtropical swimming paradise” on the Coillte-owned site.

The release of its detailed masterplan is the last step in a consultation process before the company puts in its planning application. It isn’t expected the venue, to be called Center Parcs Longford Forest, will be open to visitors until 2019.

Aritst's impression of entrance to the village centre An artist's impression of the village centre

The company’s CEO, Martin Dalby, said today marked a “significant milestone” in the plan to bring Center Parcs to Ireland.

It claims the development would bring 1,000 permanent jobs and 750 temporary construction jobs to the region, adding €32 million to the Irish economy each year once up and running.

CenterParcs Dalby with a Center Parcs concept model Jason Clarke Photography Jason Clarke Photography

However the company has previously been criticised for doing little to help local economies as guests typically stayed only for weekends and spent all their time on-site. Some 1.7 million guests stayed in its resorts last financial year.

Artist's impression of Subtropical Swimming Paradise as viwed from the lake An artist's impression of the lake

A separately-owned but affiliated company,  Center Parcs Europe, operates 21 resorts in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

READ: Thought Ireland loved Penneys? The fashion-conscious French are lapping it up >

READ: How’s this for a Monday morning… Ireland’s getting 200+ new jobs >

Your Voice
Readers Comments
52
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.