£75m ‘aspirational escapism’ holiday park planned for Fylde

Family-owned company The Partington Group wants to build 495 lodges, a 102-bed hotel, and a luxury spa on 166 acres bordering the River Wyre.

Windy Harbour would be the name of the proposed holiday park, with developer Partington giving it the tagline “aspirational escapism”.

Windy Harbour already has planning permission from January 2022. At the time, Pure Leisrue Group was delivering the project. Development work has already begun on the site, with infrastructure surrounding an internal roadwork being put into place.

Lancashire-based Partington acquired the site from Pure Leisure Group in March 2023 for £35m, according to The Gazette.

Partington has kept much of the original project, including a nine-hole golf course. However, there have been some changes – instead of one hotel complex with bedrooms and leisure amenities, this offering has been broken down into four separate buildings. There is the hotel (now three storeys rather than four), the 27,400 sq ft spa and wellbeing centre, the 36,700 sq ft leisure facility, and a reception block.

A swimming pool would be built inside a new leisure facility. Credit: The Partington Group

The amenities on offer for guests would include a pool, gym, bar, restaurant, and indoor golf simulator bays. There would also be cycle and running tracks throughout the property.

Partington estimates that the entire scheme represents a £75m investment.

Windy Habour would sit next to Partington’s other property – the 64-acre Windy Harbour Holiday Park. It is just north of the junction of A585 and Windy Harbour Road.

The proposed restaurant and bar at Windy Harbour would be delivered in the first phase of plans. Credit: The Partington Group

Reflecting on the future Windy Harbour, Partington chief executive Rob Kearsley said: “This bold investment in a thrilling new leisure destination for the North West builds on our years of expertise in running successful holiday parks for all.

“It also comes as Partington celebrates its 80th anniversary and showcases our dedication to keep moving the business forward.”

Andrea Challis, fellow Partington chief executive, said she felt an “incredible excitement” about the project.

“Every aspect of this inspiring new development is thoughtfully crafted to consider the needs of our visitors and their lifestyle and leisure aspirations whilst also providing our team with an outstanding destination they will be proud to be part of,” she said.

A gym would be constructed within the new leisure centre at Windy Harbour. Credit: The Partington Group

Firth Architecture & Design is working alongside Partington to craft the vision for the scheme. De Pol is the planner, while Cameron S Crook has advised on biodiversity, arboriculture, and ecology. Hamilton Technical Services came up with the drainage strategy, while Curtins is working on transport. FPCR crafted the landscape and visual assessment.

You can learn more about the project by searching application reference number 24/0404 on Fylde Council’s planning portal. To see the original plans, use the reference number 19/0318.