New plans have been submitted which could lead to a brand new entertainment area being created at the park
An East Yorkshire holiday park is set for its biggest ever redevelopment with a seaside festival-themed entertainment area, new plans reveal. Unity Holidays acquired Skirlington Coast Yorkshire last year, and the company has already made many improvements.
Since last year the park has unveiled new dining and leisure facilities, a new pavilion theatre as well as a 150-seat ‘flexi-pub and restaurant in April. The five-year plan to revitalise the wider site also includes enhancements for tourers and additional caravans for holidaymakers.
Now Legacy Leisure Group – the parent firm of Unity Holidays and owners of the resort – have submitted plans to East Riding of Yorkshire Council which could lead to a brand new entertainment area being created at the park, which is set between Hornsea and Bridlington.
The new leisure plans include a new food and drinks pavilion; a promenade feature walkway; a new lido including an outdoor pool; a splash pad with a tots pool and cabanas; a new car park; garden seating and sunbathing areas, and a new terrace area with a feature piazza area. Plans show that the site’s existing Coastal Tavern is also set to be refurbished, creating an extension to the theatre space.
The redevelopment has been triggered by a need to create communal areas fitting for a holiday park of its size, with 680 holiday caravans, and up to 400 tented and touring pitches. Planning permission is sought to revamp and extend the leisure facilities which, according to planning documents, are described as “insufficient, outdated and in need of significant enhancement”.
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The proposal seeks to boost the park’s facilities, improve public spaces, and strengthen pedestrian connectivity while revitalising its role as a premier leisure and holiday destination.
The planning documents say: “Unity Holidays acquired the park in 2024, bringing new investment and a vision for revitalisation after decades of private family ownership. Skirlington Leisure Park is one of the largest holiday parks in the area, known for its extensive accommodations, amenities, and regular Sunday markets, which attract vendors and visitors from across the region.
“The park’s facilities are very small for the size of the park and have seen little recent investment, leaving them outdated and insufficient for modern visitor expectations. The design of the Festival Gardens and activity marquees takes inspiration from the character of traditional British seaside towns, incorporating bright, welcoming colours and lightweight structures reminiscent of classic pier pavilions and festival tents.
“The redevelopment of Skirlington Coast Holiday Park presents an opportunity to enhance biodiversity while improving the overall landscape quality of the site. The Festival Gardens will incorporate native planting, pollinator-friendly species, and carefully designed green spaces to create a more vibrant and ecologically supportive environment.
“This development probably represents the most significant investment in this holiday park since it was first created, bringing it up to modern standards and securing its long-term future as a premier holiday destination. The revitalisation will enhance visitor experiences, improve safety, and ensure the park remains competitive within the UK holiday market.
“Beyond its economic benefits, the redevelopment will create a more balanced and less seasonal employment structure, fostering quality sustainable jobs and strengthening the local economy. The improved facilities will provide an enriched environment for visitors while respecting and enhancing the park’s coastal setting.
“By transforming Skirlington Leisure Park into a vibrant, high-quality leisure destination, this proposal will support both the regional tourism industry and the wider community, reinforcing the site’s role as a key attraction in Yorkshire.”
Earlier this summer, as we previously reported, Unity Skirlington Coast earned a five-star grading from the AA and also a gold award. Visit England also recently visited and awarded the site a five-star award.
AA ratings and awards are conducted with an inspection and assessment of various aspects, including service quality, cleanliness, hospitality, maintenance, and the quality of physical facilities and service delivery. After the awards, resort director Rob Bruton said: “It’s an award and a huge pat on the back for all of the team on the park, and underlines the investments we have made – and will continue to make – to have our owners, guests and their families at heart.”
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