Thousands more holidaymakers could descend on the Yorkshire coast in winter under plans to open one of the country’s biggest holiday parks a month earlier.
Holiday giant Haven has applied for permission to open Primrose Valley Holiday Park near Filey from 1 February each year, allowing families to stay during the February half-term break.
If approved, the change would extend the park’s season by almost a month, adding 29 extra operating days each year.
The company says the move would help boost tourism, support local jobs and bring more visitors to the Scarborough area’s economy during what is traditionally one of the quietest times of the year.
Approval of the scheme would “help ensure that Haven continues to contribute to this growing domestic market, diversifies its operations sufficiently to capture changing tourism demands, and reinforces Haven’s role within Scarborough and to its local economy,” the company said.
Plans submitted to North Yorkshire Council describe Primrose Valley as an important part of the local visitor economy and argue that extending the season would support efforts to create a more year-round tourism industry.
The holiday park currently opens on March 1 and closes in early January for owners of static caravans.
Under the proposal, guests would be able to arrive from February 1, allowing the park to capitalise on February half-term holidays.
The application states that no new buildings are required and that there would be no increase in the number of caravans on the site.
No changes are proposed to parking, drainage or the road network, while Haven says the plans would help support existing jobs rather than create new positions.
The company argues the proposal would help tackle the seasonal nature of tourism employment on the coast, an issue identified in planning policies covering the Scarborough area.
Planning consultants acting on behalf of Haven said the additional opening period represents a “modest increase” to a site that already operates successfully for much of the year.
The application also notes that millions of people visit Haven holiday parks annually and argues that domestic tourism continues to play an increasingly important role in the UK economy.
North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the plans, which are open to representations from members of the public.
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