MP seeks clarity on future of Pontins holiday park in Brean

The Brean Sands holiday park on South Road in Brean was run by Pontins, and one of the main employers in the village until its closure in 2023.

Since this time, the holiday park has been used to house up to 900 staff working at the Hinkley Point C construction site, with EDF Energy securing a three-lease lease from Pontins’ parent company, Britannia.

Discover Brean, which represents numerous local businesses, lodged an appeal against this change of use, arguing it would be have “significant” economic impacts and change the character of the local area.

Sir Ashley Fox, the recently-elected Conservative MP for Bridgwater, has now written to the Planning Inspectorate urging for a speedy decision on the matter to reduce “uncertainty” among his constituents.

Bridgwater MP Ashley Fox. (Image: Supplied)

In the letter – which was published in full on his official Facebook page – Mr Fox said: “I am writing to express my concern regarding the ongoing delay in the determination of the appeal related to Brean Sand Holiday Centre.

“My constituents have been waiting for a considerable period, and the uncertainty surrounding this decision is causing concern.

“As you are aware, the Pontins site plays a crucial role in the local economy as a designated tourism site, attracting visitors and supporting numerous jobs in the region.

“The timely resolution of this appeal is essential to secure the sustainable tourism status of Brean and to ensure the continued economic stability of the area.

“While I understand there is currently a backlog of cases, I would like to request that this case be given priority in the allocation of an inspector.

“The longer this decision is delayed, the greater the risk to the tourism sector in Brean.

“Residents and businesses in Brean deserve clarity and certainty about the future of the Pontins site.”

The existing facility is made up of 600 chalets, a leisure complex, a swimming pool, shop, outdoor facilities including play areas, car parking and ancillary green areas in between the chalet buildings.

Under the existing lease, EDF employees will be able to remain on the site until at least 2026 – though this could end up being extended as part of wider negotiations with Somerset Council regarding the ‘workforce uplift’ (i.e. how a larger than expected number of workers coming to the site may be accommodated locally).

The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed that the Pontins appeal will be settled through written representations, rather than either an informal hearing or a full-blown public inquiry, and that a site visit was in the process of being arranged.

However, they were unable to confirm when this visit would occur or when the inspector’s final ruling on the matter would be published.