Gulliver’s World leisure resort

Project Description: Construction of 71 bedroom hotel and leisure resort

Project status: Approved (under construction)

Gulliver’s World LEISURE resort, warrington

Having been appointed in 2015 and successfully kept alive an aged planning permission for a hotel block, gym and heritage theme park at the site granted in 2006, I was retained to advise on the development of a 71 bedroom leisure resort adjoining the existing theme park, hotel and conference centre in Warrington and the construction of a new £38 million theme park and leisure resort on a former colliery site in Rotherham.

Leaders in children’s entertainment and with theme parks in Warrington, Milton Keynes, and Matlock Bath, Gulliver’s Theme Parks and Leisure Resorts are paving the way for the family ‘stay-cation’ and catering to families who want to stay in the UK for their family holidays and mini-breaks. Known as the Wilderness Wharf, the development will provide family accommodation in the form of hotels themed as a pirate ship and fairy-tale castle, and holiday lodges set within a bespoke landscaped area. The proposal also includes an associated village resort with a café, craft centre, children’s indoor play centre/crèche, guest reception and housekeeping facilities.

It is expected that the Wilderness Wharf resort will create over 40 new jobs and more than £6million in benefit to the local economy. The new positions will be in management, marketing, maintenance, housekeeping and gardening; Gulliver’s will shortly announce an open day for prospective candidates.

I worked closely with the development team from the start of the project to bring the development through the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations process, undertaken consultation with residents, local community groups, stakeholders and local councillors. Having progressed initial pre-application advice and refined proposals following the consultation events, a planning application was submitted in January 2019, with approval being given in April 2019. Development commenced on site in time for the theme parks’ 30th anniversary.

Dan Matthewman, Director of County Planning Ltd, commented, “This was a complex suite of applications owing to multiple uses which required us to engage in detail with the Council’s planning and environmental health officers. Effective community engagement meant there were no public objections received to the applications and we achieved approval within 10 weeks, with all planning conditions agreed in advance. It’s an exciting time for Warrington.”

Julie Dalton, Managing Director, Gulliver’s Theme Parks and Leisure Resorts, commented, “Gulliver’s will be celebrating 30 years in Warrington in May, so we are delighted to have achieved approval for our plans in time for this. As the UK holiday market changes and grows, the development will help us continue to deliver quality leisure breaks and entertainment with family-friendly accommodation that suits a variety of budgets and tastes.”

For further information about this project, please contact us.