The long-awaited reopening of the former Atherfield Bay Holiday Camp has moved a step closer, with new planning documents revealing the site is to be rebranded as ‘The Isle of Wight Resort’ and become part of a national holiday park group.
A planning application submitted by Encore Leisure Propco Limited seeks consent for the installation of 2 externally illuminated panel signs at the clifftop resort off Military Road.
The proposed signage reveals the development will operate under the name ‘The Isle of Wight Resort’ and form part of the Evergreen Escapes Group, which operates holiday destinations across England and Wales.
The application is the latest step in efforts to bring the long-vacant site back into operation following years of redevelopment work and delays.
In the early 2010s, the holiday accommodation at Atherfield Bay had become vacant and deteriorated to such an extent that many of the buildings were in a poor state of repair and uninhabitable.
A major redevelopment scheme was subsequently proposed in 2016, involving the demolition of the existing clubhouse, chalets, swimming pool, manager’s dwelling and other ancillary buildings, alongside the construction of 63 holiday accommodation units, a new clubhouse, swimming pool and associated facilities.
Planning permission was granted in November 2016, with a series of subsequent applications submitted over the following years to discharge, remove or vary planning conditions attached to the scheme. The most recent operative planning permission was granted in September 2022.
Redevelopment of the resort was being advanced by Royale Parks, part of the Royale Resorts Group, but the company entered administration in 2023 before the holiday park could open.
Encore Leisure Propco acquired the site from administrators in 2024 and subsequently carried out an audit of the partially completed development. But that review identified a number of shortfalls in the as-built development, including missing infrastructure that could affect the operation of the resort.
The proposed signs are intended to be installed by 20th July, suggesting preparations at the site are continuing ahead of a potential opening during the Summer season.
Developers have previously had to make moves to quash false rumours circulating on social media that the site could be used to accommodate asylum seekers.
If this resort finally opens surely the council will finally
put in road safety measures near the entrance of the site.
The way vehicles speed along the Military Road
it will be a disaster in the making otherwise.
Speed humps near the entrance will be required.
Why will it need speed humps when most of the “ numpties” drive at 30 mph on national speed limit road (fyi it’s 60mph) if you want to sight see on the Milly Road pull off and Walk…!
Not every numpty can walk. Numpty. .
Where does the sewage go from that lot?
Same as the rest of it from this side of the island, straight into the sea after very little processing if any.
That’s my uneducated guess based in the colour and smell of the water at certain times.
Straight in the channel
Looks like something from 1940s looks bloody dreadful..army barracks..
Hence possible migrant camp!
Oh shut up, change the bloody record.