Seventy Ninth Group seeks Anglesey success
Declaring its “most significant development to date,” the Southport-based asset management group has acquired consented land at Penrhos Coastal Park, where it wants to build a £250m, 500-lodge holiday park.
Land & Lakes (Anglesey) Ltd, part of the Cumbrian land and property powerhouse Kingmoor Park Properties, secured consent in April 2016 for the development.
Taking on 200 acres, Seventy Ninth Group now intends to develop a leisure resort centred around 492 “premium quality” holiday lodges at the Holy Island site.
The business said it intends to work with the local community to develop a sustainable, high-quality, family-friendly, leisure destination, that complements the natural environment and native wildlife.
Included among the amenities hoped for at the development are a restaurant, swimming pool, spa, gym and pitches for youth cricket and football, along with outdoor tennis courts, to be made available to local residents.
Managing director Jake Webster said the firm will work with the community on the project. Credit: Seventy Ninth Group
Jake Webster, managing director of Seventy Ninth Group, said: “We look forward to developing the site into a world-class holiday destination in conjunction with the local community, while ensuring we protect the environment for future generations.
“Our aim is to give families from the UK and visitors from all over the world a chance to experience what this fantastic area has to offer.”
Seventy Ninth Group said it will work in partnership with Isle of Anglesey County Council, Holyhead Town Council and key stakeholders to maximise local employment opportunities: £1m is pledged to local initiatives as part of the project. Local engagement sessions will also take place throughout the project’s development.
A five-year timeline is set out for full completion, although the first lodges could be available to visitors from as early as this summer.
The 2016 consent came in the face of local opposition over fears of continued public access to the coastal path in what is classed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
An appeal last year, on grounds of the consent not being implemented, was dismissed in the High Court in October.
Land & Lakes secured a hybrid consent in 2016, at which point it was still looking to provide, in the shorter term, accommodation for workers on the proposed Horizon nuclear project Wylfa. The wider plan also involved 315 lodges at Cae Glas and 320 homes at Kingsland.
With the Penrhos site now under new ownership, Anglesey Council Leader, Cllr Gary Pritchard, said: “This is a significant potential development in terms of the local economy. The commitment to progress in a sensitive and inclusive manner is welcomed, as is the commitment to engaging with the local community. We look forward to working with the Seventy Ninth Group to develop key themes including local employment, supply chain opportunities, sustainability, and safeguarding the Welsh language.”
The local authority’s chief executive Dylan Williams added: “This is a sensitive site which is visited by residents for recreational and enjoyment purposes. Whilst there are substantial direct and indirect economic benefits, balancing investment with environmental sensitivity will be important.
“We look forward to having meaningful engagement and establishing a long-term working relationship with the Seventy Ninth Group.”
David Webster, Seventy Ninth Group chairman, concluded: “The Penrhos site is our largest project to date and embarking on such a significant development would not be possible without the support of our clients, customers and investors.
“We see tremendous opportunity in UK holiday lettings and have specifically sought acquisitions in this area, as part of our ever-expanding portfolio.”
500 holiday lodges in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty? What can possibly go wrong…
By Jack Mary Ann