Center Parcs thanks Chamber for role in planning appeal success
01/09/2007
Center Parcs has thanked the Chamber for its role in securing planning permission for its fifth forest holiday village at Warren Wood near Woburn. The company’s recent planning appeal was a success and now the holiday parks business is set to invest £200m in a new village to open in 2010.
The Chamber, which represents businesses in Bedfordshire and Luton, has supported the plans for the holiday village since they were first announced. Said Richard Lacy, Chief Executive of the Chamber:
'The Chamber was delighted to learn that the planning appeal was successful. As an organisation run by business people for business people, we believe a prosperous future for Bedfordshire and Luton must be lead by innovative approaches to inward investment that bring money and, crucially, jobs into the area. It was obvious from the outset that the plans represented an unprecedented opportunity for the area. We have been working closely over the last few years with Center Parcs and local partners to ensure the proposals for the holiday village became a reality. In addition, the Chamber's Bedford Area Group, which comprises business leaders from Bedford and North Bedfordshire, offered its support to the project at every stage.'
Richard Lacy has no doubt that the new holiday village will benefit the local economy:
'The impact on our economy of Center Parcs cannot be underestimated. The development will create some 1400 local jobs and provide opportunities for local suppliers and contractors. Added to this, Center Parcs will be investing £2m on infrastructure around the new village, including improvements to the A507, while also working towards the improvement and sustainability of biodiversity in the locality.'
'Bedfordshire isn't the first place you think of when you talk about tourism yet we have so much to offer including visitor attractions, a major airport and glorious countryside – all within easy reach of the M1. We believe Center Parcs will play a significant part in making Bedfordshire a destination county rather a place you pass through to reach somewhere else.'
Added Mr Lacy:
'The Chamber sees Center Parcs as an important beacon project which will hopefully attract other investment into the area. This is just the beginning and we are looking forward to continuing our close and productive relationship with Center Parcs.'
