BY TIM HEDGLEY, GROUP TRAVEL EDITOR
THIS week the leading short break holiday provider announced they are coming to Ireland.
Following the decision by An Bord Pleanála to uphold the planning permission granted by Longford County Council for the development of Center Parcs Longford Forest holiday village near Ballymahon, Co. Longford.
Center Parcs offers high quality short breaks in a secluded and natural woodland setting.
This new venture will epitomise the high quality features for which Center Parcs is renowned, including up to 500 lodges, designed with families and the environment in mind, more than 100 indoor and outdoor activities, a spa, a range of restaurants and cafés and the iconic Subtropical Swimming Paradise, with water rides and fun for all ages.
Nestled in the heart of the forest, the Subtropical Swimming Paradise is home to family waterslides, our Wild Water Rapids, whirlpools and toddler water playgrounds.
It’s heated to 29.5C all year so you can enjoy warm waters or a tropical cocktail at the Canopy Café and Bar whatever the weather.
Unlimited entry is included in the cost of your break, so just turn up and dive in!
Center Parcs is a short break destination in the forest with high quality accommodation of various sizes, lots of activities, cafés, shops, and restaurants.
A majority of those who stay are families wanting to spend quality time together away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and get back to nature.
The concept was first created by Piet Derksen in Holland almost 50 years ago, he believed that it was important to give people the space to be with their family, enjoy time together away from hectic daily life and to get close to nature.
The appeal of Center Parcs is the ease of getting to the villages, having a place to stay with lots of choice so you can tailor make your break, essentially, do as much or as little as you like in the company of friends and family.
With 3 night weekend breaks (Friday to Monday) and 4 night midweek breaks (Monday to Friday) throughout the year, families enjoy Center Parcs in all seasons, rain or shine.
Over the last 29 years, Center Parcs has exhibited a proven track record of taking commercial woodlands and, through careful forest management, transforming them into areas rich in biodiversity.
Center Parcs Longford Forest will have a dedicated team of Conservation Rangers who will protect and nurture the beautiful woodland.
Commenting on the successful conclusion of the planning process, Martin Dalby, CEO of Center Parcs, said: “We warmly welcome approval from An Bord Pleanála to proceed with our plans to develop Center Parcs Longford Forest. Since we announced our desire to bring the Center Parcs experience to Ireland last April, we have been overwhelmed by the positive support we have received at both local and national level and we are looking forward to forging ahead to bring our plans to fruition.
“We outlined from day one the transformative impact that Center Parcs Longford Forest will have on the midlands region in both tourism and economic terms. We will continue to work closely with all stakeholders over the coming years to realise this significant potential and, ultimately, to bring our unique short break experience to life for families throughout Ireland.”
Following thes successful conclusion of the planning process, Center Parcs will now move to the procurement phase of the project, which following construction is hoped to be open in 2019
Center Parcs operates five other short break destinations across the UK:
Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire;
Elveden Forest, Suffolk;
Longleat Forest, Wiltshire;
Whinfell Forest, Cumbria and Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire.
Each Center Parcs is nestled within around 400 acres of protected and enhanced woodland, with the Village designed to complement and work with the forest environment.
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