Unity Holidays has secured planning permission for a £20 million transformation of the Skirlington Coast holiday park in East Yorkshire, marking the company's largest investment in the seaside destination since acquiring the site in 2024. The ambitious plans, approved by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, will create more than 120 permanent jobs alongside seasonal roles, but will also bring an end to four decades of trading at Skirlington Market.
New Entertainment Zone and Facilities
Parent company Legacy Leisure Group unveiled proposals for a brand-new entertainment zone, including a food and drinks pavilion, a promenade feature walkway, and a lido with an outdoor pool. Additional features include funfair attractions, new swimming pools, cabanas, pop-up entertainment, a splash pad with a toddler pool, a new car park, garden seating, sunbathing areas, and a terrace with a feature piazza.
The second phase of the application, which includes 92 new caravans, was deferred by the council. A spokesman for Unity Holidays said: "We thank the council's planning committee for approving our application to redevelop the land on our park currently occupied by Skirlington Market, as well as the buildings on that land used by the market. We look forward to commencing work on that project as soon as possible, which will see us add indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities as well as re landscaping the entire area."
Market Closure Controversy
The redevelopment will close Skirlington Market, which has operated for 40 years on the holiday park's car park site. The proposals drew objections from traders and market directors, with more than 12,000 people signing a petition demanding the plans be rejected. Despite this, council officers stated there were no legitimate planning grounds to block the proposals, as the dispute between market officials and landowners Legacy Leisure fell outside the committee's jurisdiction.
The spokesman added: "Our application to compensate for the loss of caravans to coastal erosion - in line with the council's planning policy - was deferred. We look forward to discussing with the council and clarifying their grounds for deferral, and to the planning committee supporting that proposal as well in due course."
Impact and Next Steps
The approved scheme will convert and alter the existing market building and surrounding area. Unity Holidays expects to begin construction promptly, delivering new leisure facilities and landscaping. The deferred caravan element will be discussed further with council planners, with the company hopeful for eventual approval.
